Amid speculations about Rohit Sharma’s stance on T20Is, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has expressed his desire to see both Rohit and Virat Kohli back in action for the T20 World Cup scheduled in the West Indies and the United States of America in June next year. The discussion has ignited debates on who should lead the side, with Gambhir advocating strongly for Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.
Rohit and Kohli decided to step back from T20Is after the T20 World Cup semi-final in Australia in 2022, allowing selectors to infuse fresh talent. Hardik Pandya assumed the unofficial role of T20I captain, raising questions about the future leadership dynamics of the team.
Rohit Sharma’s recent leadership in the ODI World Cup showcased his selfless approach, guiding India to the final with a record-breaking winning streak. Despite the ultimate loss to Australia in the final, Rohit’s fearless batting at the top order, accumulating nearly 600 runs at a striking rate of 125, left an indelible mark in World Cup history.
Gautam Gambhir and legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram are aligned in their belief that experience is crucial in T20s, advocating for the inclusion of Rohit and Kohli in the T20 World Cup squad. Gambhir specifically emphasizes Rohit’s phenomenal leadership, endorsing him as the ideal captain for the upcoming tournament.
“They both need to get picked, and both should be picked. More importantly, I want to see Rohit Sharma as the T20 World Cup captain. Hardik has been captaining in T20Is, but I would still want to see Rohit as captain in the World Cup. Don’t pick Rohit Sharma only as a batter. Rohit is a phenomenal leader, proving that with his leadership and batting in this ODI World Cup. Suppose you are picking Rohit, which you should, then he should be selected as a captain who can bat. And Virat also should be an automatic choice,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda.
“There are barely six months to go for the T20 World Cup. I will pick both Rohit and Kohli. They are the main players for the team. It would help if you had some experience, even in T20s. Can’t build a team with only youngsters,” Wasim stated.
Senior players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been granted a break from the five-match T20I series against Australia. Considering the packed cricketing calendar, this strategic move allows the key players to recharge and focus on fitness.
The fitness of Hardik Pandya, seen as a potential T20 World Cup captain, is a matter of concern. Given his injury-prone history, there are speculations about his availability for the South Africa tour. The selectors face a crucial decision about whether to gamble on Pandya’s fitness for the captaincy.
