It'd Be Madness If Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Don't Play T20 WC 2024 - Andre Russell

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell shared his verdict on whether or not Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play in the T20 World Cup 2024. He said that it would be madness if India didn’t pick them in the XI as the team needs big players when the pressure is there.

One of the highlighted topics in the last few days around Indian cricket has been the participation of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup 2024. After the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2023, the transition in the Indian T20I team began as a lot of youngsters are getting opportunities.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not featured in T20Is since the T20 World Cup 2022 and it has raised a lot of speculations. With the next World around the corner, it remains a big question if they will be back in the T20I setup or not. So far things look bleak as they aren’t part of the ongoing T20I series against Australia.

There’ll be a sort of clarity when the squad for the T20I series against South Africa will be announced. In their absence, youngsters have been terrific as well as they have cashed in opportunities big time and have won team many games as well.

Andre Russell wasn’t amazed by the debate going around the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20Is. He mentioned that they should be definitely picked as sending 11 young players won’t be a good idea. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he explained:

“I don’t know why this is a big thing (the debate on Rohit and Virat). Social media can actually get in the way of cricketers by questioning their potential. Rohit with the experience and Virat being Virat, it would be madness if India pick a team for the (T20) World Cup and they are not in them.

“Experience in World Cups is very important. You can’t send 11 young soldiers to the battlefield. You have to have experience. The young Indian players will give them a run for their money. They have been good in the chances that they have got but I think when the pressure moments come, you need big players.”

They are right in that bracket of Sachin Tendulkar – Andre Russell on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Andre Russell further added that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are big match players and urged fans and BCCI to not treat them badly. He added that they fall in Sachin Tendulkar’s bracket and it’ll be unfair not to pick them. He added:

“Rohit is a big game player. Kohli loves the big stage. When a player enjoys being in such a situation, he is not nervous or tentative. I hope the board doesn’t listen to the media and decide. I would definitely give them this World Cup.

“Don’t treat big players like that. They have done so much for Indian cricket. They are right in that bracket of Sachin Tendulkar. So, it will be unfair to them. It will be madness if they are not picked.”

There were a lot of reports recently which suggested that BCCI is convincing Rohit Sharma to captain the team in the T20I series against South Africa. On the other hand, Virat Kohli reportedly has asked for rest in the white-ball series against South Africa.