IND vs AFG: BCCI Finding Hard To Pick Among Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli For Afghanistan T20Is - Reports

The conundrum around the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continues as there is still no clarity about whether the duo will feature in the T20Is or not. India are slated to lock horns with Afghanistan in the three-match series and some sort of clarity is likely to be there.

But the reports in PTI, have suggested something else. It is learned that the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) is finding it hard to include one among Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

The reports added that there are chances that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might be picked for the upcoming Afghanistan T20Is. But it won’t guarantee them a spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 as their selection for the tournament will depend on the form they will show in the IPL 2024.

The reports added that there will be another discussion and the big names in BCCI will take the final call on the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup 2024. The event will take place in the Caribbean and the USA in June as India eye their second title.

BCCI’s Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar went to South Africa to discuss the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20Is. The duo has made themselves available but despite that, there is still no clarity that they will feature in the World Cup.

The reports added that BCCI secretary Jay Shah might be the one taking the final call on the matter and the squad for the series against Afghanistan is likely to be announced as Ajit Agarkar reaches India from South Africa.

The inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will hamper the team’s balance. If they both are in XI then Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan might have to make way for the veterans. It could be a real headache for the team if they have to play the veterans.

IND vs AFG: As of now you need to accommodate both or drop both – Former national selector on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

A former national selector recently shared his verdict on the selection dilemma around Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

“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 BCCI office-bearer added that the need for an hour would be to add both to the team and then monitor their performances in the IPL for the World Cup. He explained (as quoted by PTI):

“The flexibility will always be an issue but there would 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.

“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,”

It remains to be seen what will be the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20Is. The clear picture will come after the IPL. They haven’t featured in T20Is for India since the T20 World Cup 2022 and it will be interesting to see if they will make it into the team for the Afghanistan series.