Amid speculation regarding the T20I future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram suggests that India should include both veteran stars in their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. The absence of Rohit and Virat from the shortest format, following India's T20I semi-final loss in November 2022, has sparked discussions. With skipper Rohit mostly unavailable, Hardik Pandya has led the Indian team in T20Is in 2023.
Earlier in 2023, during the August launch of CricKingdom Academy in the United States, Rohit expressed his excitement for the T20I 2024. Many speculate that this might be a hint regarding his participation in the tournament.
"T20I World Cup is just a few months away. I will pick both. They will be the main players for India, no doubt about it. You need a little bit of experience in T20I. You cannot solely rely on young guy," Wasim said on Sportskeeda.
Rohit holds an impressive T20I record, amassing 3853 runs in 148 matches with a striking rate of nearly 140. His performances include four centuries and 29 half-centuries. On the other hand, Kohli, with 4008 runs in 115 games, one century, and 37 fifties, stands as the leading run-scorer in the history of T20Is. While India have a robust lineup of young openers in Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, all proven in the IPL, the selectors or the BCCI might turn to Rohit should the younger talents face challenges, urging him to reconsider his stance.
Rohit holds the record for the most T20I appearances by an Indian player, having played in 148 matches, while Kohli follows as the second-most experienced T20I cricketer for India. Throughout all eight editions of the Men's T20I World Cup, Rohit's consistent presence has been remarkable, notably playing a significant role in India's triumph in the 2007 competition.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir advocates for Rohit's inclusion in the World Cup, not solely as a specialist batter but as a captain. "They (Rohit and Kohli) both need to get picked, both should be picked and more importantly, I want to see Rohit Sharma as captain in the T20 World Cup," Gambhir said.
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