Two most successful T20I batters in the world — Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma — are back in T20Is for IND vs AFG series after 14-month gap. With T20 Word Cup 2024 starting on June 1, that should be great news, right? Maybe not. Despite their outstanding stats in the shortest format, both have failed to deliver results at a consistent pace and their strike rate could be the bigger issue.
There is no denying that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will go down in the history as the two best batters in white-ball cricket. Virat Kohli is still averaging over 50 in T20Is and has had an outstanding IPL 2023.
Rohit Sharma has shown how it’s done in ODIs after discussing about setting an aggressive template. But even though he has set a template for playing aggressive cricket, he has not backed up his claim with stats that one would envy in T20s.
Dwindling returns
Rohit Sharma has only three half-centuries in 29 T20I innings he played in. And even though he has managed to keep a strike rate of 134.42, Yashasvi Jaiswal is more exciting and can demolish the bowling attack in the powerplay as well.
Shubman Gill has definitely struggled in T20Is. But a look at his IPL 2023 stats will tell you that if he returns to form and pairs with Yashasvi Jaiswal, the two will be the most destructive duo in powerplay.
Virat Kohli on the other hand has averaged 55.78 in the last two years in 20 innings. He has a century and eight half-centuries. And the innings that he played against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup would forever be considered one of the best, if not the best knock. Great, isn’t it?
Well, he has also played knocks like 17 off 13, 52 off 41, 35 off 34, 2 off 12, 12 off 11. Even during the “knock of an emperor”, Virat Kohli at one stage was striking at only 109.52 before he accelerated.
That’s where the King turns into only an average player. He has a strike rate of just 114.46 in powerplay since 2022. And in the middle-overs, Kohli strikes at only 126.79. With the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson both fighting for No 3 spot, Kohli is not at an advantage.
Looking back again
India have failed in two consecutive T20 World Cups. And T20 World Cup 2024 would have been the best way to start looking forward. Yet, Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI Selection Committee will be in a dilemma. Can they ignore the two legends of the game? Maybe not.
But by selecting them, India will virtually go to West Indies & the USA with the same squad as T20 WC 2021 and 2022.
If Ro-Ko returns, Rohit Sharma will open with Shubman Gill or Yasahsvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli will play at No 3. By doing that, selectors will shut the door on Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, or a Rinku Singh or Sanju Samson or JItesh Sharma or Ishan Kishan. Will that be fair to them?
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