Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim feels Indian selectors could have dropped him Rohit Sharma to captain India in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan due to fitness issues that continue to arise Hardik Pandya. Rohit Sharma will potentially lead India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 as he remains the official captain of the Indian team in all formats.
The Men in Blue will take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series with the first match being played on January 11 in Mohali. The Indian selectors picked a 16-member squad for the T20I series on Sunday with Rohit Sharma leading the team and Virat Kohli also back in the shortest format for India. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played T20Is in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and have since stayed away from this format at the international level. They have been playing in the IPL during this one-year break.
Saba Karim was asked during a discussion on Sports 18 if the decision to withdraw Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20Is means the duo will also participate in the T20 World Cup this year. He responded affirmatively, explaining, “Now there is no doubt. Now that you have included these two players against Afghanistan, it means that there has been a huge change in the thinking of the selectors. They feel they need experience for the World Cup. That is why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned.”
The former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman added: “There’s another thing. Until now, the selectors had shown confidence in Hardik Pandya as captain, but doubts are arising due to Hardik Pandya’s injury. That is why the selectors have gone back to Rohit Sharma to provide stability, both as captain and batsman.”
Hardik Pandya will return to action during IPL 2024
Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury during India’s World Cup clash against Bangladesh and has been out of action since then. He is expected to return in IPL 2024 and will lead the Mumbai Indians this season as he was traded by the Mumbai-based franchise of the Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL Auctions. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has been removed from his role as captain of MI, which was unexpected given that he won five IPL titles as captain of Mumbai Indians.
Hardik Pandya has always been an injury-prone player and his injuries are coming back to haunt him as he might miss a captaincy stint in the T20 World Cup due to his injury. Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, will be determined to win the T20 World Cup and be called the World Cup-winning captain. He missed the ODI World Cup when India was defeated by Australia in the final.
Hopefully, Rohit Sharma will show the same attacking intent and bat with the same freedom in the IPL and t20 World Cup that he showed in the ODI World Cup 2023. He has one last chance to win an ICC title for his country as captain . in the T20 World Cup and will be determined to win it.
