Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli And KL Rahul Will Walk Into The Playing XI For T20 World Cup - Saba Karim

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim said senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will easily find spots in India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

Rahul was the second-highest run-getter with 616 runs at an average of 51.33 in IPL 2022 but his strike rate of 135.38 and tepid approach towards his innings are the concerns for the Indian team.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli endured a lean patch in the recently concluded IPL 2022 season. Both the players, who have been the torchbearers of their respective IPL teams over the years, struggled to find the momentum with the bat.

Rohit accumulated 268 runs in 14 matches at an abysmal average of 19.14 and a strike rate of 120.18 with 48 being the highest score in IPL 2022. It was a rare instance where the MI skipper failed to score a half-century in the cash-rich league.

Kohli finished the season with 341 runs in 16 innings at an average of 22.73 and a strike rate of 115.98 with two half-centuries against Gujarat Titans.

Selectors need to have hard conversations with the individuals: Saba Karim

Karim said all three players will be selected in the Indian team for the mega event but asked them to intensify their respective games or else they shall face stiff competition from the youngsters in the squad.

“A tough call for the selectors. At this stage, I’m sure all three of them (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul) will walk into the XI,” Karim said in a select media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network ahead of the Ireland T20Is.

“If such criticism is being levelled at them, it is up to them to find a solution so that they emerge in a much better manner. And if it’s not happening then the team management or selectors need to have hard conversations with the individuals involved because there is stiff competition coming through,” he added.

Saba Karim feels Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul understand modern T20 requirement

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter said Rohit, Kohli and Rahul understand the modern-day T20 cricket and will count on their experience to acclimatise their batting to the required standards.

Rahul sustained a groin injury last week and will miss the England tour next month while Rohit and Kohli are part of India’s squad for the rescheduled fifth Test against England from July 1 to July 5 in Birmingham.

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