In the dynamic world of T20 Internationals (T20Is), the absence of two batting maestros, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, has fueled speculation about their future.
Hardik Pandya assumed the leadership mantle in the T20I arena following the 2021 T20 World Cup, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping in during Pandya’s injury in the ongoing series against Australia. The younger talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad have showcased their prowess, raising questions about the established duo’s return.
Recent reports suggest that Rohit Sharma might be contemplating stepping away from T20Is. The news agency PTI highlighted this, emphasizing Rohit’s discussions about his T20I future before the ODI World Cup. If the younger generation falters, the selectors could urge Rohit to reconsider his stance.
While the report focused on Rohit, Virat Kohli’s stance remains unexplored. Both stalwarts will likely be granted the autonomy to decide their T20I careers. Ashish Nehra, former bowler turned coach, advocates for the duo having the liberty to make this crucial decision.
According to Nehra, age is secondary; what matters is the run-scoring ability. He asserts that if Rohit and Kohli decide to continue in T20Is, the onus is on the younger players to outperform them. The coach emphasizes the need for competition, stating that the veterans will retain their spots if they consistently contribute.
“Age is no criterion. What matters is how many runs you are scoring. We spoke about Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shubman Gill… but if Rohit Sharma wants to play, they have to compete with him. Here is a 36-year-old super-youngster, fearless guy. Again, when we talk about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, the World Cup is very far; if they want to play and score runs, youngsters will have to beat them to make a place in the XI,” Nehra said on JioCinema.
“Loss in the ODI World Cup shouldn’t make a difference. How those two think is the most important part. Virat Kohli is scoring runs in IPL, Rohit Sharma is performing, any selector will be tempted, and they will have discussions unless they announce their retirement, which I hope won’t be the case soon,” said Nehra further.
The ongoing Australia series serves as a testing ground for emerging talents, with players rested from the ODI World Cup participating. Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna are notable exceptions, possibly hinting at a strategic vision for the future lineup.
