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As the cricketing world eagerly ushers in the new year, the anticipation surrounding the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024 is reaching a fever pitch. At the same time, the uncertain participation of cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the tournament also remains a focus.
Nevertheless, recent reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct a crucial meeting to determine the fate of these two legendary players in T20 Internationals (T20Is).
Last appearance in T20Is and the fervent desire of fans
Since India’s exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, neither Virat nor Rohit has donned the blue jersey in the shortest format of the game. This absence was recently also extended to 50-over matches after they refrained from featuring in the format following India’s heart-wrenching defeat in the ODI World Cup 2023 final.
With the next ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027 and uncertainty looming over the potential participation of the Kohli-Rohit duo in the tournament (considering they would reach the ages of 39 and 40 by then), fans’ desire to witness their involvement in the T20 World Cup slated for this year has only become more fervent.
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BCCI to take a final call on Virat and Rohit’s involvement in T20 World Cup
Reports indicate that the BCCI is poised to discuss the inclusion of Kohli and Sharma in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, set to commence on January 11 in Mohali. This series marks India’s final T20I assignment before the commencement of the IPL and serves as the only international opportunity ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Notably, the T20 World Cup is scheduled to kick off in June-July, immediately following the conclusion of the IPL in the last week of May. The meeting is a pivotal step in clarifying the clouds of uncertainty surrounding Kohli and Sharma’s potential participation, providing cricket enthusiasts with much-anticipated clarity ahead of the highly awaited T20 World Cup 2024.
Key participants in the meeting
The meeting will be headed by Chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar, along with national selectors Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola, and is expected to involve discussions with India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid, and the Rohit-Kohli duo before deciding the final squad for Afghan challenge.
