'Impact matters more than runs': Rohit Sharma breaks down India's key players for T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma, who captained India to glory at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, has praised current captain Suryakumar Yadav for his significant influence on the national side, describing him as a “big player” who has delivered consistently for the team.

Suryakumar ended a long wait for his first T20I fifty in 468 days and 23 innings, scoring an unbeaten 82 with nine fours and four sixes in India’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Raipur. With the Men’s T20 World Cup beginning on February 7, this return to form after a tough 2025 comes as a timely boost for India as they aim to defend their title at home.



“A captain in form makes a big difference. But I see it differently. It's not just about the captain. If a key player like Surya is out of form, you lose out on one of your 7-8 batters. That weakens the whole lineup. Surya is a big player who has done well for India consistently. If his performance drops, it hurts the team,” Rohit said on JioHotstar.

He added, “This isn't about the individual; it's about the batting order. Surya bats at a high strike rate and plays unorthodox shots that disrupt plans of the opposition. He hits balls in unexpected places and plays shots that others can't.

“That puts pressure on the bowler, making them think, 'What do I do now? How can I tackle him?' When a player like Surya is in form, it makes the whole team stronger, not just because of his confidence, but because of what he brings to the game.”

Having shared the field with Suryakumar in India’s T20I team, as well as in IPL and domestic cricket, Rohit highlighted his captain’s cricketing intelligence and game awareness.

“Suryakumar Yadav understands the game very well. We played a lot of IPL matches together. Whenever I talked to him about different situations, his responses always made sense. I judge people like that. I don't expect them to say what I think, but their answer should make sense.

“With Surya, it always does. He has great understanding and knows how to get the best from players around him. In the T20 World Cup, there will be tricky moments where we must be careful. It will be a test, but all these guys have played high-pressure games before. They should be able to handle it,” Rohit added.

Rohit also lauded opener Abhishek Sharma for his calculated, impactful batting, which has been key to India posting strong starts in the powerplay.

“I like how Abhishek Sharma is batting. He doesn't just swing hard; his approach is smart and calculated. He plays shots all around, from extra cover to mid-wicket.

“He's a 180-degree batter who can clear fine leg if you bowl at his body. He's become a very good player, scoring quickly and consistently. For an opener, impact matters more than just runs.

“Giving your team 50-60 runs in the first few overs does half the job; it lets others build on it. To take on bowlers, you have to do your homework and practice those shots in the nets every day. It's that simple,” he concluded.


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