IND vs NZ: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Eager To Play T20Is, But BCCI Unlikely To Back Them For Shortest Format- Reports

Ahead of IND vs SL 1st ODI, Rohit Sharma has made clear that he has made available himself for the T20I format. However, he also mentioned that to manage workloads, players should get enough breaks. BCCI is soon expected to hold a meeting with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to discuss their future in the shortest format.

Recently, BCCI appointed a new selection committee for India’s men’s team. After India’s failure to win ICC T20 World Cup 2022 title, the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee was sacked. In the new selection committee, Chetan Sharma is re-appointed as the chief selector but other members are new faces.

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BCCI Unlikely To Back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli For T20Is

Ahead of India vs Sri Lanka ODI series, Rohit Sharma mentioned that he is not looking to leave T20I format currently.

“At the moment, it has been made clear that this is a 50-over World Cup year. For some of the guys, it is not possible to play all formats. If you look at the schedule, the matches are back to back. So we decided on looking at some players’ workload and making sure we give enough break time and manage them. I definitely fall within that. We have only six T20s this year. But certainly, I have not decided to give up the format.” Sharma said.

This year, the focus is shifted to the ODI format as ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is set to take place in October-November. Hence, players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have more focus in the ODI format.

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Recently, selectors picked a new squad in the IND vs SL T20I series. The youngsters led by Hardik Pandya managed to win the T20I series 2-1. Earlier too in November last year, a young squad led by Hardik Pandya won the T20I series against New Zealand during an away tour.

Hardik Pandya has done well as the skipper in the shortest format in recent times. Although there have been rumors of Pandya becoming the new T20I captain for India in the future, Rohit Sharma still remains the India skipper in all three formats.

In the last two T20I World Cups, India faced a humiliating exit. India lost two crucial games to Pakistan and New Zealand in ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and was out of the first round. In ICC T20 World Cup 2022, India faced a humiliating 10-wicket loss to England in the semi-final.

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Notably, in all these games, the top order’s efficiency to score maximum runs in the powerplay overs was a talking point. India’s top order in T20Is comprised Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. They are often criticized for their poor strike rate while batting.

The selection committee is looking for a more aggressive approach in the shortest format, where players go on to smash runs at a high strike rate. Some emerging batters like Ishan Kishan, Shubaman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, and Sanju Samson among others have shown a similarly aggressive approach while batting.

Hence, since the new selection committee is in place, they might look beyond Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20Is. The T20 World Cup 2024 will happen next year. India last won the T20I World Cup title in 2007 and despite being the no.1 T20I side in the ICC rankings, India failed to win the trophy in the last two years.

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