BCCI not keen on picking Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli together in Team India T20I Squad: Finalising a squad has always been the toughest task for the selectors, especially if you are an Indian selector. With so much talent and multiple players competing for one place, it gets even trickier for the selection panel to choose the right players. Completing the South Africa tour meant that the BCCI would name India’s T20I squad as soon as possible for the shortest format series against Afghanistan.
However, it’s been four days since the last international fixture, the Indian selectors are yet to finalise Team India’s T20I Squad.
Notably, the biggest conundrum ahead of the selectors is the places of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the T20I setup. The two stalwarts have already shown their keenness to play in the T20 World Cup 2024 and have a last go at the World Cup event.
However, reportedly, the BCCI is not keen on picking both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli together in the T20I squad.
It is noteworthy that captain Rohit Sharma’s place has already been fixed and it was never in question with the kind of approach he showed in the ODI World Cup 2023. Moreover, with the regular absence of Hardik Pandya due to injuries, his experience at the top becomes important.
Hardik Pandya led Team India in Rohit’s absence since India got knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2022. However, Hardik’s injuries have been an issue. The all-rounder is currently recovering from an ankle injury that he sustained during the World Cup 2023.
While Rohit has become an automatic choice for Team India, the same can’t be said about Virat Kohli. Though he is one of the most prolific batters to have ever played the T20I format, his strike rate has been an issue.
Reportedly, the final call to include Virat Kohli in the Indian side will be taken by the BCCI top brass soon. Secretary Jay Shah would possibly be one of the guys who will have a huge influence on whether Virat Kohli will be on the side or not.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s selection in question for Team India T20I Squad
“If you have Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik constituting your top five then where is your left-hander? Now, let’s assume you drop Kohli and play Gill at No.3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit. Can Ajit take that bold call,” a former national selector told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
“The flexibility will always be an issue but there will always be external factors that need to be countered. Did you see ICC promoting the tourney with Kohli’s giant billboard video in New York. MI handle put that aerial advert of Rohit and Shaheen Shah Afridi. So there will be external pressure,” a former BCCI office-bearer said.
Meanwhile one of the veteran administrators asserted that it would be wise call for the BCCI to either drop or accommodate both the players.
“It will be on Jay how much he can empower Agarkar’s committee. As of now you need to accommodate both or drop both. The sensible thing would be to include both for Afghanistan and not make any promise for World T20 till the IPL performance is monitored,” the veteran administrator said.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.