The conundrum around the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continues as there is still no clarity on whether the duo will feature in the T20Is or not. India is scheduled to face Afghanistan in the three-match series and there is likely to be some kind of clarity.
But PTI reports have suggested something else. The Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) is known to find it difficult to field one between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
Reports added that there are chances of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli being picked for the upcoming T20Is in Afghanistan. But that will not guarantee them a place in the T20 World Cup 2024 as their selection for the tournament will depend on the form they show in IPL 2024.
Reports added that there will be another discussion and the big names of the BCCI will take the final decision on the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup 2024. The event will be held in the Caribbean and the USA in June as India is looking for its second title.
BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar traveled to South Africa to discuss the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20Is. The duo have made themselves available but, despite this, it is still unclear whether they will participate in the World Cup.
Reports added that BCCI secretary Jay Shah could be the one to take the final call on the matter and the squad for the series against Afghanistan is likely to be announced when Ajit Agarkar arrives in India from South Africa.
The inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will hamper the balance of the team. If both are in the XI, then Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan might have to make way for the veterans. It could be a real headache for the team if they have to play against the veterans.
IND vs AFG: As of now both need to be accommodated or removed: Virat Kohli’s former national selector Rohit Sharma
A former national selector recently shared his verdict on the selection dilemma surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“If you have Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik in your top five, where is your left-hander? Now, suppose you drop Kohli and play Gill at number 3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit. Can Ajit accept that bold decision?
A former BCCI official added that the need of an hour would be to add both of them to the team and then monitor their performances in the IPL for the World Cup. He explained (quoted by PTI):
“Flexibility will always be an issue, but there will always be external factors that will need to be counteracted. Did you see ICC promoting the tournament with Kohli’s giant ad video in New York? MI handle played that aerial ad of Rohit and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Then there will be external pressure.
“It will depend on Jay how much he can empower the Agarkar committee. From now on, you must accommodate both or eliminate them. The sensible thing would be to include both for Afghanistan and not make any promises for the World T20 until the IPL performance is monitored.”
It remains to be seen what the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in the T20Is. The clear picture will come after the IPL. They have not featured in India’s T20Is since the 2022 T20 World Cup and it will be interesting to see if they will make the squad for the Afghanistan series.
