Cricket News

Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar throws weight behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for 2024 T20 World Cup

The Indian cricket fraternity is abuzz with speculations as the Indian Cricket Board prepares to announce the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. The biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether the two seniors, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return to the shortest format.

Kohli and Sharma, veterans of countless battles, haven’t donned the blue jersey in T20Is since the 2022 World Cup semifinal, a night etched in Indian memory for the wrong reasons. England’s emphatic victory left fans hungry for answers and desperate for redemption. Now, with the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon in June, the Afghanistan series takes on immense significance.

It’s a delicate balancing act for the selectors. Do they stick with the youngsters who impressed in South Africa, or inject the experience and firepower of Kohli and Sharma. The duo, it seems, are ready to answer the call. Reports confirm their availability for the Afghanistan series, throwing the selection battle wide open.

The potential inclusion of Kohli and Sharma isn’t the only intriguing subplot. Injuries to Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, arguably India’s two most destructive T20 batters, create unexpected vacancies. This opens the door for both established guns adding yet another layer of drama to the selection conundrum. The selectors face a tough decision. Do they back the youngsters who have been provided opportunities in recent times, or hedge their bets on the experience and pedigree of Kohli and Sharma? The Afghanistan series thus, becomes a crucial dress rehearsal, offering a glimpse into India’s World Cup plans.

Gavaskar and Pathan back experienced duo

Speaking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan, the former India player, has opined that India will benefit from the experience of the two stalwarts of they are included in the T20 squad. He added that their presence off the field will also be of substantial help.

“Personally, I would like to see Virat on the pitch because when we talk about two years back, definitely he was not in his best form. But the last IPL and T20 were one of the most amazing tournaments for him. Also, when you are playing in countries like West Indies and the USA, there are quite a few unknown pitches, and here you will need experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both on and off the field,” Pathan said.

Sunil Gavaskar echoed Pathan’s sentiments, adding that their fitness levels will also ensure that there is no compromise in terms of the fielding standards. “Kohli’s form has been outstanding in the last 1.5 years. He played unbelievably in the 2023 World Cup, making 750 runs with 3 centuries. So there is no doubt about his limited-overs batting. But what makes me feel good is their fielding capacity. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still great fielders and will be of great help on the field,” he said.