JYNEWS-The road to the T20 World Cup 2026 has officially begun, and while the Indian cricket team has transitioned into a new era under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, it seems the ghost of captains past—specifically the legendary Rohit Sharma—is still looming large over the fans. During a recent stop of the official T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, the atmosphere turned electric, but perhaps not for the reasons the organizers expected.
The Viral “Hitman” Fever at College Campus
As the shimmering silver trophy made its way to a local college to build hype for the upcoming tournament, thousands of students and cricket enthusiasts gathered to catch a glimpse of the prize. However, instead of chanting for the current squad or the new skipper, the air was filled with a deafening roar of “Rohit! Rohit!” A video of the incident has since gone viral across social media platforms, capturing a moment that perfectly illustrates the deep emotional bond Indian fans still share with the “Hitman.” Despite Rohit Sharma retiring from the T20 format after leading India to a historic victory in the 2024 edition, his popularity remains untouched.
“Mumbai Ka Raja”: Fans Refuse to Move On
The chanting wasn’t just a casual mention; it was a full-blown tribute. The crowd broke into rhythmic slogans, shouting, “India ka Raja—Rohit Sharma! Mumbai ka Raja—Rohit Sharma!” The intensity of the cheers was so high that it momentarily overshadowed the purpose of the event.
The situation became a bit awkward for the event hosts. The female anchor on stage eventually had to step in and gently steer the crowd back to the present. She was heard over the microphone asking the students, “Guys, can I hear a nice slogan for our current captain, Suryakumar Yadav?” It was a polite reminder that while Rohit is the hero of yesterday, Surya is the man carrying the weight of the nation’s expectations today.
The Legacy of the 2024 Triumph
To understand why the fans are still so obsessed with Rohit, you have to look back at the 2024 World Cup final. Rohit Sharma didn’t just lead the team; he embodied the spirit of a champion. When he finally lifted that trophy and announced his retirement from T20Is, it felt like the end of a golden chapter.
Interestingly, Suryakumar Yadav played a massive role in that victory too. No fan can forget that gravity-defying catch on the boundary ropes in the final over, which arguably saved the match and brought the trophy home. Now, Surya finds himself in the captain’s shoes, tasked with defending the title on home soil.
The New Era Under SKY Begins
The T20 World Cup 2026 marks the first time Suryakumar Yadav will lead the “Men in Blue” in a major ICC event. It is a massive responsibility, especially with the tournament being hosted in the subcontinent. India finds itself in Group A, alongside rivals Pakistan, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.
The campaign kicks off on February 7, 2026, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It’s poetic, really—SKY will begin his World Cup captaincy journey in the very city where the fans were just screaming Rohit’s name. The pressure will be immense, but if anyone can handle the “360-degree” heat, it’s Surya.
India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule
The journey to glory is packed with high-octane clashes. Mark your calendars for these key dates:
| Date | Match | Venue |
| February 7, 2026 | India vs USA | Mumbai |
| February 12, 2026 | India vs Namibia | Delhi |
| February 15, 2026 | India vs Pakistan | Colombo |
| February 18, 2026 | India vs Netherlands | Ahmedabad |
The Squad Heading Into Battle
The selectors have leaned into a mix of explosive youth and world-class bowling. The squad is built for the spinning tracks of India and Sri Lanka, with a heavy emphasis on all-rounders.
Team India Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.
As the tournament nears, the big question remains: Can Surya win over the hearts of the fans the way Rohit did? A win against the USA in the opener and a dominant performance against Pakistan in Colombo would certainly go a long way in turning those “Rohit” chants into “Surya” roars.
Would you like me to analyze the key player matchups for the India vs. Pakistan clash on February 15th?
भूदेव भगलिया एक अनुभवी और वरिष्ठ पत्रकार हैं, जिन्होंने हिंदी पत्रकारिता की दुनिया में अपनी गहरी पकड़ और सटीक लेखन शैली से अलग पहचान बनाई है। पत्रकारिता के क्षेत्र में दो दशकों से अधिक अनुभव के साथ, भूदेव जी ने दैनिक हिंदुस्तान में 12 वर्षों तक और अमर उजाला में एक वर्ष तक महत्वपूर्ण जिम्मेदारियाँ निभाईं। वर्तमान में वे जागरूक यूथ न्यूज़ अखबार एवं पोर्टल में कंटेंट एडिटर के पद पर कार्यरत हैं, जहाँ वे न्यूज़ कंटेंट की गुणवत्ता और विश्वसनीयता सुनिश्चित करने में अहम भूमिका निभा रहे हैं। भूदेव भगलिया हमेशा उन मुद्दों पर कलम उठाते हैं जो समाज और युवा पीढ़ी को जागरूक करने में सहायक हों।