India T20 WC Squad: Virat Kohli T20 Retirement: The workload, injuries and poor form have led the BCCI to seriously contemplate a few changes post the T20 World Cup. The discussions are going on regarding a transition plan for India’s top players including Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja post the showpiece event. If things don’t go as per plans, Kohli & Jadeja will be asked to step down from T20 roles to retain India’s two best assets for the two longer formats. Follow T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Virat Kohli may be India’s top scorer in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 but his indifferent form and the need to rejig the top 3 is up for debate. For Jadeja, the real bummer is his string of injuries. He has been ruled out of Asia Cup and T20 World Cup after undergoing knee surgery. Now, as things stand, with age catching up, he would be asked to choose formats to focus on.
“See, it’s nothing new. After every big event, there is a transition period. After last year’s World Cup, Shami was transitioned to focus on the two formats. Virat isn’t getting any younger. With the number of matches we play, he has to be managed as well. And we feel there needs to be a change. For Jadeja, the sheer number of injuries is a concern. We will discuss the transition plans after World Cup,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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India T20 WC Squad: BCCI to discuss TRANSITION plan for Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja after T20 WC, official says ‘Playing three formats not part of plan’
India T20 WC Squad: Why is BCCI mulling a change in T20 faces?
- With another T20 World Cup slated for 2024, India will need a few fresh faces.
- Both Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja will be 36 and India will need to infuse some young blood.
- Another early exit from a multi-national tournament has proved that the current formula isn’t working out for India.
- Barring Rohit Sharma, the Top 3 have often been sluggish, putting pressure on India’s middle order.
- In the current Asia Cup team, India have 10 players over 30 years of age. That is an average age of 30.
- This is the oldest squad in terms of age in the tournament.
- But by 2024 World Cup, it will be 33 if the same squad is retained.
- However, despite carrying the experience, India have hardly managed to get the results.
- Rohit Sharma is already 35 and it is unlikely that he will be at the helm in 2024 WC.
- KL Rahul will be the likely captain for India while Hardik Pandya will be his deputy in T20s.
- Rishabh Pant is another candidate to be in the leadership group besides Jasprit Bumrah.
- But the frequency of injuries and long-term blows are becoming a concern.
- Hence, to manage workload, BCCI will enforce a transition plan for the players.
Who are in BCCI’s transition plan post T20 World Cup 2022:
- Virat Kohli (Form and age)
- Dinesh Karthik (Age)
- Ravichandran Ashwin (Age)
- Ravindra Jadeja (Injury)
- Rohit Sharma (To be discussed after ODI World Cup 2023)
India T20 WC Squad: BCCI to discuss TRANSITION plan for Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja after T20 WC, official says ‘Playing three formats not part of plan’
The only way, Virat Kohli can carry on playing all three formats is scoring a ton of runs in the T20 World Cup. As India will host the ODI World Cup 2023, the focus will be on ODIs. The core group comprising Kohli will play a lot more 50-over cricket over 10 months than T20 cricket. Hence, the transition will begin immediately. India are also targeting the ICC WTC Finals 2025. Virat Kohli is an integral part of the team and will need to be at his best.
With the kind of bench strength India currently have, one would expect them to jump from that group to the senior group. But as long as seniors are there, it won’t be possible. Hence, the way MS Dhoni implemented the transition period, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will need to in case of a debacle at the T20 World Cup. As for Rohit himself, he is certain to lead until 2023 World Cup. Post that, there will be a discussion.
“We made it clear when he took over captaincy of all three formats, he will be in charge till 2023 World Cup. After that, we will have a discussion. We have to understand that he is close to 36 and leading India in all three formats besides Mumbai will be difficult for him. For Virat, if there is no intimation from him on stepping down, we have to do the hard talk. But obviously, it will be decided only after World Cup. Despite the Asia Cup exit, we are confident in our core group,” the official told InsideSport.
Meanwhile, BCCI selection committee headed by Chetan Sharma will sit in Mumbai to pick the teams for T20 World Cup and Australia-South Africa series on Monday after Asia Cup.
India T20 WC Squad: BCCI to discuss TRANSITION plan for Virat Kohli & Ravindra Jadeja after T20 WC, official says ‘Playing three formats not part of plan’
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