'Always in favour of India': Shoaib Akhtar lavishes praise on Rohit Sharma ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa

Pakistan legendary speedster Shoaib Akhtar lavished praise on Rohit Sharma after India defeated England by 68 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal clash at Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana. Rohit Sharma played a brilliant knock of 57 off 39 balls in the semifinal at a strike rate of 146.15. He smashed 6 fours and 2 sixes during his time on the crease. However, his knock had to come to an end in the 14th over when Adil Rashid dismissed him.

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Shoaib said that the Men in Blue deserve to win the T20 World Cup 2024. He added that the India skipper should end the tournament on a big note.

"Rohit Sharma has repeatedly said he wants to make an impact and win the trophy and so, deserves to win the cup. He is a big player, and it should end on a big note. He is a selfless captain, plays for the team and is a complete batter," Shoaib said.

Akhtar further stated that he is always in favour of India winning the tournament. He also revealed that he got hurt when India lost the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia because the Men in Blue deserved to win it. 

"I was always in favour of India winning the tournament. I was hurt last year when India could not win the World Cup as they should not have lost it because they deserved to win," he added.
 

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Rohit defends out-of-form Virat Kohli

Rohit also threw his weight behind Virat Kohli, who extended his poor form in the T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Kohli crashed after scoring just 9 off 9. In a span of seven innings, Kohli, who won Orange Cap in the IPL 2024, has only managed to score 75 runs so far. Rohit exuded confidence on Kohli after the match and said that the batting maestro is saving best for the last.

“He (Kohli) is a quality player. Any player can go through that. We do understand his class and we do understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem. When you've played cricket for 15 years, form is never a problem. He's looking good, the intent is there, he's probably saving for the final. Absolutely (backing Kohli for the final),” said Rohit during post match conference

This is the first time since 2014 that India will play the final of the T20 World Cup.  The final of the T20 World Cup is now perfectly set as the clash between the unbeaten sides, India and South Africa, is set to take place in Barbados on Saturday.

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