According to Sunil Gavaskar, the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) will determine their spot in the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup. A three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan will begin on Thursday, January 11 at Mohali. The 16-player Men in Blue team for the series includes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with Rohit being named as captain.
In T20I cricket, Rohit and Kohli are the top two run scorers. Rohit has scored 3853 runs at an even better strike rate of 139.24 in 148 T20I games, while Virat has amassed 4008 runs at a great strike rate of 137.96 in 107 T20I innings. The duo of Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma will not only need to guide the rest of the batting line up but at the same time play long & effective innings for the team.
Whoever has good form during IPL should be given consideration first- Sunil Gavaskar
In a conversation on the Star Sports show “Game Plan,” Sunil Gavaskar was questioned about whether his selection for the Indian T20 World Cup team should come from both Rohit and Virat or if it would depend on how well they did in the 2024 Indian Premier League.
“I feel the IPL form will be crucial because that will be the current form. The Afghanistan series is in January. The World Cup is in June. So whoever has good form in March, April and May should be given consideration first, that performance should be given consideration,” said Sunil Gavaskar.
You can probably pick them in the team to take advantage of their experience”- Sunil Gavaskar
Even though the two have had a lackluster IPL season, the former captain of India continued that the selection of the team should be made on the basis of experience.
“Along with that, I will also say that even if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have an ordinary IPL, but they score runs there, you cannot score runs in every match, but suppose they make good contributions in five out of 14 matches, you will have to take advantage of their experience, and you can probably pick them in the team,” he explained.
Even if they are not included in the squad, Sunil Gavaskar wants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to travel with the team
If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not in the squad, Sunil Gavaskar believes they should still go with the team because of their experience.
“I will also say that, it’s an out-of-the-box suggestion, you can take them along with the team as well, if you cannot pick them in the 14 (15), because of their experience. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in the dugout, imagine what will be the team’s confidence,” he stated.
It will be a great chance for both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to get in groove of T20I cricket during the 3 match T20I series against Afghanistan.