Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli. Hardik Pandya. All headlines on Sunday evening were buzzing with the names of these three players.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to make their comeback in India’s T20I team after a gap of 13 months in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. Rohit, who led India to the semi-final in the T20 World Cup 2022 and the final in the World Cup 2023, has been named the captain for the 3-T20I series against Afghanistan.
This also means that not only both Rohit and Kohli are all but guaranteed to be picked for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will start only about a week after the IPL 2024 concludes, but also that Rohit is very likely to lead India in the T20 World Cup, even though Hardik Pandya was touted to be the next T20I skipper.
Hardik has already replaced Rohit as the Mumbai Indians captain. However, the BCCI selectors and team management were impressed with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy during the World Cup 2023, and they apparently wish to have Rohit as their skipper for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA as well.
Former BCCI selectors reveals by selectors have recalled Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
During a chat with Sports18, former India wicket-keeper and former BCCI selector Saba Karim explained that the selectors and management are banking on the experience of Rohit and Kohli for the T20 World Cup. And hence, Saba feels, both the senior pros have been recalled for the shortest format.
“There is no doubt now. Now that you have included both of these players against Afghanistan, it means there has been a massive change in the selectors’ thinking. They feel they need experience for the World Cup. That’s why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made a comeback,” Saba Karim said.
What do you all make of this power-packed T20I squad set to face Afghanistan? 😎#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/pY2cUPdpHy
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 7, 2024
Saba Karim also pointed at the fragility of Hardik’s body. Hardik injured his ankle during the World Cup and is yet to recover completely. He is expected to make his return in IPL 2024.
Karim added: “There is another thing. Until now, the selectors had shown faith in Hardik Pandya as a captain but questions are being raised because of Hardik Pandya’s injury. That’s why the selectors have gone back to Rohit Sharma to bring stability, both as a captain and a batter.”
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