Two players have competed in every ICC Men's T20 World Cup

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Rohit Sharma and Shakib Al Hasan are the only players to have participated in every edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will be ready to take on the challenge again starting next month.

Their debut in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 marked them as flag-bearers of a new generation of cricketers.

Both players made impactful starts to their T20 World Cup careers, showcasing their talent in South Africa.

Rohit Sharma's first notable innings came during a crucial group match against South Africa in Durban, where he scored his maiden T20I fifty, earned the Player of the Match award, and secured India's spot in the semi-finals.

Shakib, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's stunning victory over the West Indies in Johannesburg. At just 20 years old, Shakib dismantled the West Indies' middle order, finishing with figures of 4/34. Bangladesh went on to achieve only their third victory in men's T20Is with a smooth run-chase.

In that 2007 tournament, Shakib took six wickets, while Rohit significantly contributed to India's title win in the final against Pakistan, scoring a rapid 30 off 16 balls to help set a winning total. The 2009 tournament saw Rohit starting strong with a 23-ball 36 against Bangladesh, only to be dismissed by Shakib. He then hit a fifty against Ireland but struggled in subsequent games as India exited in the second round.

One of Rohit's standout performances came in the 2010 tournament against Australia in Bridgetown. Despite India's loss, he fought valiantly, scoring an unbeaten 79 off 46 balls. Shakib's highest T20 World Cup score came in 2012 against Pakistan in Kandy, where his 54-ball 84 couldn't secure a win for his team.

The 2014 T20 World Cup was arguably the best for both players. Rohit was the second-highest run-scorer for India as they reached the final, while Shakib excelled with both bat and ball, scoring 186 runs and taking eight wickets. His Player of the Match performance against Afghanistan, with figures of 3 for 8, set the tone for Bangladesh in their home tournament.

Next month, Rohit and Shakib will once again grace the T20 World Cup stage. Rohit returns to the Indian T20I team after a two-year hiatus and will captain the side. Shakib, recovering from an eye injury, made a successful return to the Bangladesh team in May during a series against Zimbabwe.

India is grouped with Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland in Group A for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, while Bangladesh finds itself in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Nepal.