Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to be in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup in 2024

There has been plenty of discussion about the place of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the forthcoming T20 World Cup next year. Somehow, the duo’s absence from the shorter formats of the game combined with the BCCI’s silence has made this a growing wound that would need some immediate salve for the burning fires to be doused.

In the last couple of T20I series where India played Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Rohit and Virat were rested for the shortest format of the game. Now as the Indian fans see it, this is most likely a reminder that the new selectors are willing to replete the Indian team with budding sensations who have done a decent job in recent times. More importantly, they are planning for the future.

However, another possible scenario that may also be the reason for India’s prized duo to be out of the T20Is until now is that BCCI most likely wants Rohit and Virat to be at their full strength when Australia comes knocking. It is needless to say that Australia’s arrival in India will be heralding of important times coming up and if the Men in Blue will have to qualify for the WTC finals, they will need all hands on deck.

Former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar opened up on his verdict about the Rohit-Kohli duo, citing that it is a matter of form that decides who stays and who doesn’t. Talking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar said, “The way I see it is that the next T20 World Cup is in 2024, next year, and the new selection committee that has come wants to give more opportunities to the younger players. That doesn't mean that Kohli and Rohit won't be considered anymore. And if they have an impressive form throughout 2023 then they have to be in the team. The other factor is with the Australia series starting, the selectors might have wanted to rest them for the big contest so that they can make a fresh start against the Aussies and that will benefit India.”

India will be involved in an ODI series with New Zealand starting tomorrow and Rohit and Kohli are both a part of the squad who will be taking the yard against the Blackcaps.