There is a strong possibility of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing in the T20 World Cup 2024 for India. Rohit could even lead the team with a long-term injury to Hardik Pandya, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury.
India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup could see the return of some players who have been out of the team for a long time. The new faces could also include Rishabh Pant, who has been out of the team for over a year.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were instrumental in India’s success in the ODI World Cup. They played a key role in India’s 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, taking them to the semi-final. The duo could once again play a key role for the team, according to former Australian player Brad Hogg.
Brad Hogg on Virat Kohli
Hogg in his recent video on his YouTube channel talked about Virat and Rohit opening the batting for India. He said it was the best opportunity for Kohli to score some substantial runs for team India.
“If Virat Kohli plays in the T20 World Cup, I would like to see him opening the batting with Rohit Sharma. That’s where I think he can bring out the best in himself with the upfields and can use the pace. At the back end, if you have Rohit or Virat batting during the innings, you could have perfect stabilization.” said Hogg.
Kohli last played in the T20I series against Afghanistan. He missed the first match and scored 29 and a duck in the remaining two matches. The former Indian captain scored 296 runs in the T20 World Cup 2022, finishing the tournament as the highest run-getter.
Recently, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina also claimed that Virat Kohli’s return in T20Is would give India the experience it needs. His recent form in the 2023 ODI World Cup should influence the selectors to select him in the T20 World Cup squad.
“If you look at the World Cup venues (in the United States and the West Indies), the terrain will be a bit difficult. India will need the experience of Rohit and Kohli there. Kohli is on the verge of making 12000 runs in T20 cricket. Therefore, his presence will boost India’s batting.” Raina said.
Meanwhile, players like Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, who performed well in the T20I series against Afghanistan, also give India batting depth in the order. Yashasvi Jaiswal is another option at the top of the order for India, who can open with Rohit keeping Kohi at his favorite number three spot.
Talking about Virat Kohli, he missed the first two Test matches against England due to personal reasons. India leveled the series after their victory in the second Test in Vizag. Head coach Rahul Dravid remained tight-lipped on the possibility of Kohli’s return in the third Test in Rajkot starting February 15.
“I think the best thing is to ask the selectors. I am sure they are the best people to answer before the team selection for the next three tests. We’ll get to that. I’m sure there will be selection in the next few days. “We’ll connect with him and find out.” Rahul Dravid told reporters on Monday in Vizag.
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