They might be the two most capped Indian batters in men’s T20Is but when Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t feature in the format at the international level after the world cup in 2022, it became apparent that the selectors have moved on from the two stalwarts.
How else would one explain their absence in T20Is for nearly 14 months?
Not that the pair has quit playing T20s altogether. They remain integral part of their respective IPL franchises.
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A plausible explanation could be that with ODI World Cup being the top priority last year clubbed alongside the workload management, Rohit and Kohli were kept fresh for the longer formats with India trying a host of youngsters for T20Is with an eye on the future.
However, they are back in the India T20I setup with just a few months remaining for the world cup. And former member of BCCI selection panel Saba Karim has a theory why the team management turned their attention back towards the two stalwarts.
Karim thinks that the selectors want experience in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup which will be held in June this year.
“There is no doubt now. Now that you have included both these players against Afghanistan, it means there has been a massive change in the selectors’ thinking. They feel they need experience for the World Cup. That’s why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made a comeback,” Karim said on Sports18.
Karim then further added that the fitness concerns surrounding de facto T20I captain Hardik Pandya may have also lead to the selectors recalling Rohit and Kohli.
“There is another thing. Until now, the selectors had shown faith in Hardik Pandya as a captain but questions are being raised because of Hardik Pandya’s injury. That’s why the selectors have gone back to Rohit Sharma to bring stability, both as a captain and a batter,” Karim said.
Rohit will lead India’s 16-man squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan that gets underway from January 11.
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