Team India Shifts Focus to T20Is After ODI World Cup 2023
Now that the ODI World Cup 2023 has concluded, Team India’s attention has turned to T20Is. The upcoming year of 2024 will see another World Cup, this time in the shortest format of the game.
India has not won a T20 World Cup since 2007, and in the previous edition, they faced a tough defeat at the hands of England in the semis, losing by 10 wickets.
The big question ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup involves veterans such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both players have been instrumental for India, particularly Kohli, who has been the team’s top batsman in recent T20 World Cups.
However, neither Kohli nor Rohit has played a T20I since last year’s semi-finals, as India is currently testing out younger players.
Reports have emerged that the BCCI has left it to the players to decide their participation in the T20 World Cup 2024, based on their performance in the IPL.
Virat Kohli to Sit Out South Africa ODIs and T20Is
As India gears up to face South Africa in an all-format tour, it has been reported by The Indian Express that Virat Kohli will be missing out on the white-ball leg of the tour. Kohli has requested a break and has conveyed to the BCCI and selectors that he wants to focus on Test cricket for the time being.
A source mentioned to The Indian Express, “He (Kohli) has informed the BCCI and selectors that he needs a break from white-ball cricket and he will get back to them about when he wants to play white ball cricket next. At the moment, he has informed the BCCI that he will be playing red-ball cricket, which means he is available for selection for the two Test matches in South Africa.”
Currently, Kohli is enjoying a break from cricket in London after being named the Player of the Tournament in the ODI World Cup 2024, scoring 765 runs in 11 matches.
Unclear Future for Rohit Sharma
There is currently no clarity on the future of Rohit Sharma. Despite being the second-highest run-scorer in the recently-concluded World Cup, Rohit has reportedly indicated to the BCCI that he is no longer considering playing T20Is.
A meeting is expected to take place between BCCI secretary Jay Shah, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and Rohit in the coming days to discuss his future with the team.
It’s a crucial time for Team India as they prepare for upcoming tournaments and players make decisions about their participation. The cricketing world eagerly awaits to see how things unfold for the Indian team in the T20 format.
