In a significant announcement, Team India is set to miss the services of their star batsman Virat Kohli in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament, scheduled to take place in the Caribbeans and the United States in June 2024, will see a major shift in leadership as Rohit Sharma is poised to lead the team.
Virat Kohli’s absence from T20Is dates back to the 2022 T20 World Cup, where India faced a semifinal loss against England. Since then, the former captain has not featured in any T20I matches, signaling a break from the shortest format of the game.
Contrastingly, Rohit Sharma, also has not played a T20I since the 2022 T20 World Cup, will take on the leadership role for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision was finalized during a recent BCCI meeting attended by selectors, head coach Rahul Dravid, and BCCI officials.
Reports suggest that the BCCI officials and selectors are content with the performances of young talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. This confidence has led to the decision not to include Virat Kohli in the T20I side, marking a significant shift in the team’s composition.
Rohit Sharma’s desire to be confirmed as the captain of the T20 World Cup was addressed during the meeting. The officials and selectors unanimously decided to retain Rohit as the leader for the upcoming marquee event.
The latest snub brings a disappointing end to Virat Kohli’s illustrious T20I career. With significant contributions as the highest run-scorer in multiple T20 World Cups, Kohli leaves a notable void in the T20I lineup.
बीसीसीआई, मुख्य कोच और चयनकर्ताओं की बैठक में जब भविष्य पर चर्चा हुई तो उसमें टी 20 विश्व कप के लिए बात हुई। उसमें ओपनर के तौर पर रोहित और गिल/यशश्वी और तीसरे नंबर पर इशान को लेकर बात हुई। बाकी आप लोग समझदार हैं। और ये मेरा कहना नहीं है। ये मीटिंग चर्चा हुई है। बीसीसीआई विश्व कप… https://t.co/CtOlSLY1Ce
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) December 1, 2023
In a related development, the BCCI confirmed that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would miss the upcoming T20I and ODI series against South Africa, having requested a break. However, both senior batters are expected to be part of the Test series scheduled during the South Africa tour.
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India’s tour to South Africa will encompass three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests, commencing with the first T20I on December 10 in Durban. The absence of Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the limited-overs series adds intrigue to the team dynamics.