Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: BCCI

The senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should not be included in India’s T20I team for the forthcoming home series versus New Zealand, according to former keeper-batter Saba Karim.

Karim said that if Sharma and Kohli exhibit outstanding form during this year’s Indian Premier League, they may both be eligible to rejoin the T20I team in the future.

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Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (Image Credits: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Can Be Considered If They Do Well In IPL: Saba Karim

Dinesh Karthik, who achieved the same feat in the previous edition while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), was used as an instance by Saba.

“There is a chance that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have a fantastic IPL season, he said during a discussion on India News Sports. “If that happens, the selectors will not be able to look beyond them.

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“The same happened in Dinesh Karthik’s case last year. However, I feel there is no need to pick them currently. Yes, they can be considered if they do well in the IPL.”

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli. (Photo: Twitter)

Notably, India’s three-match home T20I series versus Sri Lanka just came to an end without Sharma and Kohli. Sharma was not selected because he was recovering from a thumb injury, while Kohli may have had a rest following the Test series against Bangladesh.

When naming the roster, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not provide an explanation for the exclusion of the two outstanding players.

However, the two experienced players will play again in the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Wouldn’t Be Right To Say That Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Failed Miserably – Reetinder Sodhi

Reetinder Sodhi, a former all-rounder, said during the same conversation that it would not be appropriate to remove players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the T20I squad.

In recent games, particularly the T20 World Cup, Kohli has played really well, while Sharma has also played reasonably well, he said. A veteran player and a junior player must both be on the field, according to Sodhi.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PC-Getty Images)
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PC-Getty Images)

“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not performed terribly,” the 42-year-old said. “Kohli has just hit form. While Rohit hasn’t been consistent, he has done well in patches. But it wouldn’t be right to say that they have failed miserably. Yes, Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi are great batters, but having experience is equally important.”

The Men in Blue will be led by Rohit Sharma in the ODI series versus Sri Lanka. Tuesday, January 10, will see the start of the match in Guwahati.

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