T20 World Cup 2024 | "It’s a fantastic team": Vengsarkar praises Team India ahead of the marquee event

Dilip Vengsarkar during the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai awards function at Wankhede yesterday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE

Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar called Rohit Sharma & Co the world's best team and favourites to win the T20 World Cup starting in USA and West Indies on June 1. Vengsarkar, who was one of the chief guests at the Sports Journalists' Association of Mumbai (SJAM) Distinguished Service Awards function at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, said: "India start as favourites. The current Indian team are among the best in the world. If they [selectors] had to keep players like [Shubman] Gill, [KL] Rahul and Rinku Singh out, I'm sure this is a very strong side. It's a fantastic team," Vengsarkar said.

‘Play to potential and win'

However, Vengsarkar, a former India captain and 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team member, added the team must play to potential: "If they play to their ability, I'm sure they'll win the Cup, but they must believe that they are the best in the world. I'm sure that if they use their IPL experience and tactics, India have a very good chance."

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Vengsarkar, whose selection panel picked the 2007 World T20-winning side, recalled: "The BCCI was the last board to accept the T20 format. We didn't see anybody playing this format, so it was very difficult for us to pick the side," revealed Vengsarkar, who is currently a BCCI Apex Council member. Vengsarkar and 1972 Munich Olympics runner Edward Sequeira felicitated 18 former journalists at a function organised by the Sports Journalists' of Mumbai.

Dilip announces award

Vengsarkar, who has spent his post-playing years helping young cricketers emerge, announced a special award of R25,000 for a promising city U-19 cricketer in an initiative to be undertaken by the sports journalists body.