Six more months to go for the T20 World Cup 2024 with just five T20Is left officially, yet there is no clarity on two of the superstars of the Indian Cricket Team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both in T20I exile. While InsideSport understands that Rohit Sharma will be back in the shortest format to lead India in the T20 World Cup 2024, there is still no clarity on Virat Kohli. The GOAT of the ODI is on a break from the IND vs SA T20 & ODI series.
After missing the IND vs SA T20 series, it is unlikely that either of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli will play in the IND vs AFG series. That will be India’s last T20I assignment before T20 World Cup 2024. Hence, IPL 2024 will be the only benchmark.
However, the BCCI selection committee is happy to consider IPL as the benchmark for selection. And considering that, Rohit Sharma will have at least 14 high-intensity matches to prepare for T20 WC.
Will Rohit Sharma return to T20Is?
While BCCI has never made the closed-door discussion with Rohit Sharma public, the Test-ODI captain is likely to continue in T20Is, at least till the next World Cup. The mega event in June could be his last in India colour jersey and also his last shot at redemption. And considering his success in ODIs as a leader, even in the absence of a world title, it is commendable.
Hence, Rohit Sharma’s return to T20Is seems inevitable at this point. For a change, BCCI sympathisers with the Indian captain for the way he led from the front instead of showing him the pink slip. And that is one big reason why Rahul Dravid and his coaching staff also remain on board.
“What is the need to have clarity right now? T20 World Cup is starting in June, we have the IPL before that and the series against Afghanistan,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said on the sidelines of WPL 2024 Auction.
But then what’s the reason for maintaining the veil of secrecy around Rohit Sharma and India’s captaincy for T20 World Cup? It’s Rohit himself.
“Yes, there have been discussions around Rohit, his future and the captaincy. If Rohit is fit and sound, he is the man for the job. We all agree to that unanimously. But it’s Rohit who wants to focus on the Test series in South Africa before deciding anything. The Afghanistan series is obviously not a huge priority as it is sandwiched between two important Test series. Only Rohit has to take a call on when he wants to return and that remains IPL unfortunately,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
What about Virat Kohli?
The ambiguity around Virat Kohli is much bigger. The top run-getter in both the T20 & ODI World Cup is also in exile. Even though there is no question about his fitness and intent, not everything has been smooth with Kohli’s approach to scoring runs.
And by opting for Kohli and Rohit, India have to let go of exciting talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan. That’s a huge compromise. And with such approach, selectors will only emphasise that they are not willing to change ways even if results don’t come.
And despite all his skills, he has often been called out for his slow approach in the first half of the innings. While stats do indicate that Virat Kohli has maintained a strike rate of 131.11 in the first 20 deliveries he has faced, it goes down considerably in the middle overs.
What is dubbed as the Knock of an Emperor, Virat Kohli scored only 46 runs off 42 balls against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. It was after 17th over that he finally put his feet on the gas. In the next 11 deliveries, he hit 36 runs to win the match for India. But had he been a little quicker in scoring in a 160-run chase, India could have won the match earlier.
Another example was the World Cup final. KL Rahul & Virat Kohli failed to hit a boundary in 97 deliveries. That slog in the middle overs did not do India Cricket Team any favour.
Hence, the question is, should India play a dynamic hitter like Suryakumar Yadav at No 3 and Rinku Singh at No 5 than Virat Kohli? There is no answer to that at present. It is up to Virat Kohli to say Virat Kohli is done playing T20Is.
Will he pass the baton to a youngster? Only IPL 2024 can answer that question and not IND vs AFG series. InsideSport understands that Virat Kohli will clear the air on his future soon.
If Virat Kohli hits 500+ runs in IPL 2024, can selectors ignore him from T20 World Cup if he wants to play? Perhaps not.
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