Kapil Dev criticised for comparing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of India vs England T20 World Cup semi-final

Add as a preferred source on Google

Kapil Dev was criticised for comparing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of India's all-important semi-final against England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.

A clip of Kapil Dev rating Rohit Sharma above Virat Kohli has gone viral on social media. In the video, the former India captain can be heard saying that unlike other great players, Rohit Sharma keeps the team first as a leader.

"He (Rohit Sharma) is not like Virat Kohli, he does not jump around," said Kapil (translated from Hindi). He knows his limitations, but within those limitations, he performs the best," said Kapil Dev at an 'ABP Live' event.

"A big tick in favour of Rohit Sharma is that he keeps the entire team happy," said Kapil. "There are many great players who play for themselves, take the captaincy for themselves, but not him," he added.

The comments from Kapil Dev come after Rohit Sharma's blazing knock against Australia on Monday. Rohit smashed 92 balls off just 41 balls as India posted 205/5 to beat Australia by 24 runs. The innings from Rohit consisted of seven fours and eight sixes.

Fans criticised Kapil Dev for the comparison at a time when the focus should be on Team India and backing them as a group to end India's 11-year-old drought for an ICC trophy.

"We haven't reached the final yet, but 'Virat vs Rohit' has started. We won't win like this," wrote a fan on X.

India are looking to avenge their 2022 semi-final defeat against England to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 final. India, who lost the ODI World Cup final in 2023, are unbeaten in the tournament so far.