Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Needed In T20 World Cup 2024: Ex-India Selector Makes Bold Statement
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Twitter)
Renowned Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are making a significant comeback to the T20 International (T20I) scene, having been absent from the squad for a year. Their inclusion in the upcoming 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan, scheduled between January 11-17, marks their return to T20I action since the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final, where India suffered a defeat to eventual champions England.
Former India selector Sarandeep Singh expressed his views on this comeback, emphasizing the importance of the experienced duo in the T20 World Cup 2024, jointly hosted in the Caribbean islands and the United States of America.
Singh defended the decision, stating:
"It is the right call. In ICC events, you need players who can handle pressure well. They both were great in the ODI World Cup and are in top form. However, this development means it would be very difficult to accommodate Jaiswal and Ruturaj."
Singh justified the extended break from T20I cricket for Rohit and Kohli, stressing the need to build bench strength for the team. He commented:
"You have to prepare bench strength also. In all probability, this will be their last T20 World Cup. If Rohit and Virat were not rested, you could not have tried the likes of Jaiswal, Ruturaj, Jitesh (Sharma), and others."
The 3-match series against Afghanistan will serve as India's final T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup 2024. Following the series, the team is set to engage in a 5-match Test series against England before shifting its focus to the Indian Premier League 2024.
 "Muskaan Bhatt")
