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In the wake of India’s defeat in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the return of batting maestros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20 Internationals. With fans clamouring for their inclusion in the upcoming T20 World Cup, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has offered his insights on the criteria that should govern their comeback.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been absent from T20Is since India’s exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently confirmed that the duo voluntarily opted for rest during the white-ball series against South Africa after a gruelling cricket season and will return to action in the red-ball format.
Gambhir’s take on the criteria for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s comeback
Amidst the demands of fans to see the duo of Virat and Kohli in T20Is, Gambhir emphasized that the key factor determining their return should be their current form. The veteran batter shared his perspective in a conversation with ANI and even went on to heap praises on Rohit, referring to his success in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“See, it all depends on the form. Ultimately, it’s the form. The good thing is it’s happening after the IPL. 100 percent. They should be part of the World Cup if they are in good form. For me, form is important. For a T20 World Cup, you want to take players who are in really good form. If Rohit and Virat are in good form, they should absolutely be picked for the World Cup,” asserted Gambhir.
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“Rohit has done a very, very good job. It’s not easy to win 5 IPL trophies. And then the way India dominated in the last 50-over World Cup… One bad game doesn’t make Rohit Sharma or this team a bad team and the way they dominated… I can still understand if you win tight games, the way they played… it’s not fair to say Rohit is a bad captain after just one bad game,” added Gambhir.
Gambhir’s view on captaincy and player selection
Expressing his view on captaincy and player selection, Gambhir once again stressed the importance of form and performance.
“I think if Rohit Sharma is in good form, he should be leading in the T20 World Cup. Whoever is not in good form shouldn’t be picked for the T20 World Cup, as simple as it can be. Captaincy is a responsibility. First, you get yourself selected as a player, and then you are made a captain. The captain is someone who should have a permanent position in the XI, and it depends on form,” the 42-year-old emphasized.
