After a defeat in the final of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, there is a big question over the white-ball future of Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. With very few ODI series schedule to take place in the next couple of years, there are reports that the star batting duo might announce their retirement from the limited-overs format of the game because, unlike ODIs, they are not part of the T20I set-up anymore.
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Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma haven’t play any T20I for India since a 10-wicket defeat against England on 10th November, 2022, in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Adelaide Oval.
India is schedule to take part in the T20 World Cup in June 2024, but since Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma haven’t play T20Is for more than a year now, there were reports that they might not get consider for the shortest format megaevent.
But according to BCCI sources, that’s not the case.
After the duo’s superb show in the ODI World Cup 2023, where they finish as the top-two leading run-getters, they might get a chance to play in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies.
But, any decision on their inclusion will depend on them.
As per BCCI sources, if the duo wants to play in the T20 World Cup next year, they will get the chance.
As per BCCI sources :
“Rohit and Virat can play T20s and the T20 World Cup next year if they want,”
”We can’t remove the highest run scorer of the ODI World Cup. They are both our biggest players,”.
BCCI source also said, if Rohit Sharma decides to quit the T20I format, then only Hardik Pandya will get an opportunity to lead the side otherwise, the star all-rounder will remain Rohit Sharma’s deputy.
Also, if Rohit Sharma decides to leave T20Is, then Virat Kohli will open in his place.
The BCCI will leave the decision to play in the shortest format of the game to both the senior players, and the BCCI or selectors won’t take the call on their behalf.
There are also rumours going around that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have taken a one-month leave which means they won’t be available for the T20I series against South Africa in December 2023.
The Indian team has only three international series to play before going to the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA.
The first T20I series is starting on 23rd November 2023 against Australia.
The second series is against South Africa in December 2023 and the third and final one will be play against Afghanistan in January 2024.
If Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decide to skip South Africa T20Is, then they will only have Afghanistan T20Is and IPL 2024 to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the top two leading run-getters in T20Is.
And Virat Kohli is the only player to have score more than 4000 runs in T20Is while Rohit Sharma has play in all eight T20 World Cups so far and is the most-cap T20I player in the history.
