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Quite Amazed To See Italy: Rohit Sharma, Brand Ambassador T20 World Cup 2026
Follow UsRohit also said that he was getting used to being on the other side of things
Former India captain of the Indian T20I side and currently active as an ODI cricketer, Rohit Sharma said that he was amazed to see Italy as one of the 20 qualified teams for the T20 World Cup 2026, where India would be looking to defend the title that they won under Rohit’s leadership in Barbados in 2024.
“All these teams are quite competitive, and every team comes very well-prepared. I am quite amazed to see Italy also there,” Rohit was quoted as saying by the Indian Express during the schedule reveal ceremony of the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
Italy qualified as one of the two teams from the European World Cup Qualifiers, ahead of Scotland and alongside the Netherlands. Ireland and England qualified directly for the tournament on the basis of their rankings and results in previous World Cup.
“You cannot go into any tournament thinking… you cannot take the foot off the pedal and have to be (on top of your game) from ball one,” he advised the Indian team, regarding their strategy for title defence.
He also said that he was getting used to being on the other side of things. “To sit on the other side and watch, having played in each of these (T20) World Cups so far, will feel different. I am getting used to sitting at home and watching,” Rohit remarked.
Speaking about the unique feat of being a brand ambassador of the tournament while still being an active cricketer, Rohit said, “I was told by someone that, while playing, no one has been announced as an ambassador, so it’s a great privilege and honour for me.”
India have been grouped alongside Pakistan, Netherlands, USA and Namibia in Group A and will begin their campaign on February 7 against USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.