Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Keen To Play T20Is For India - Reports

image-lr03brrjRohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Twitter)

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are available for selection in T20Is if the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is keen to involve them in planning and preparations towards the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June, according to a report in the Indian Express.

The report stated that the two giants of Indian cricket expressed their willingness to play T20Is to Agarkar, who met them on Thursday (December 4) in Cape Town following the conclusion of the second and final Test of the series against South Africa. 

Both Kohli and Rohit haven't played any T20Is for India since the semifinal defeat at the hands of England during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Since then, the two cricketer's future in the shortest format has been a matter of uncertainty and doubt. 


Rohit, Kohli Keen For T20 World Cup 

Suggestions have been made in certain corners for the two stalwarts to give up the T20I format and prioritise and prolong their careers in Tests and ODIs as they approach the back half of their thirties after a long stint at the international stage. 

However, the Indian Express has reported, Rohit and Kohli have made their availability clear to Agarkar & company, who will sit to pick India's squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and the first two Tests versus England on Friday (December 5). 

Meanwhile, it is understood that the selectors will be resting the senior pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami for the T20Is versus Afghanistan, starting January 11. While Bumrah and Siraj will be rested after two back-to-back Tests in South Africa, Shami continues to recuperate from his heel injury ahead of the England series. 

If Rohit isn't immediately picked again in T20Is, the selectors will have to appoint a new stand-in skipper amid the injury-forced absence of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.