Cricket News

Sanjay Manjrekar advocates for form-based selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20Is

Despite the recent conclusion of the ODI World Cup, the focus has already shifted to the T20 World Cup, scheduled for June 2024 in the West Indies and USA. India’s T20 World Cup preparations kicked off in style with a resounding 4-1 home series victory against Australia. The series provided valuable opportunities for young players to showcase their talents and stake their claim for a place in the World Cup squad.

The Men in Blue will now travel to South Africa for three T20Is, three ODIs, and three Tests. The upcoming tour of South Africa will be a stern test for India’s T20I team. The Proteas are a formidable force in T20 cricket, and their home conditions will pose a significant challenge.

A significant question looming over the Indian team management and selectors is the inclusion of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. The two cricketing icons last played a T20I in November 2022 during the T20 World Cup in Australia. While Kohli had a commendable performance with the bat, Rohit struggled to find his form. Following the tournament, they were excluded from T20I squads as ODIs took precedence due to the impending ODI World Cup. With the ODI World Cup concluded and T20 cricket regaining prominence, the question of their inclusion has resurfaced.

They were both rested for the T20Is against the Aussies as it was played just three days after a gruelling World Cup campaign while they opted for rest from the T20s and ODIs for that matter, against the Proteas. In recent times, fans and pundits have been vocal in their support of Sharma and Kohli’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. They argue that the duo’s experience and leadership qualities are invaluable and that they can still make a significant impact at the international level. A large section of fans also believe that Sharma should lead the team in the T20 World Cup.

“You should only go with merit” – Sanjay Manjrekar

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the inclusion of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad should be contingent on their form leading up to the tournament. He emphasized that both players will face stiff competition from a pool of immensely talented and skilled youngsters vying for spots in the team.

“Virat Kohli will have to show that he is a better option than the youngsters who are playing currently, and Rohit Sharma as T20 batter and captain vs Hardik Pandya, the T20 batter, all-rounder and captain. This should be the competition and you should only go with merit there because we have seen what we have got with great players, stature and experience,” he said.

“We have played a lot of World Cups and haven’t been able to win them. We are maybe playing slightly different cricket in the final stages of World Cups. When something goes out of your hand, simplify it. Pick your team based on form close to the World Cup,” he added, explaining the need for India to try something different in big tournaments.