With the legendary duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having recently retired from T20 internationals (T20Is), questions have swirled regarding their replacements. Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, a teammate of both players during their illustrious careers, has weighed in on the debate, naming four exciting youngsters who could fill the void left behind.
Dinesh Karthik picks young guns for the future
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Karthik acknowledged the immense challenge of replacing Kohli and Rohit, two of the most decorated batsmen in T20I history. However, he identified four promising talents who can step up and contribute to the Indian T20I team. These players include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Shubman Gill.
“First of all, they (Rohit and Kohli) are very hard to replace, but in the XI, I do think there are four choices at the moment. There’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma and Shubman Gill,” Karthik was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.
Also READ: World Cup-winner slams BCCI selection for SL tour, questions Rohit Gaikwad’s omission
While naming the four potential replacements, Karthik went a step further and expressed his confidence in Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young opener, known for his explosive batting style, is “definitely” going to be a starter in India’s upcoming T20I matches, according to Karthik.
Gill, recently named India’s vice-captain for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, has already made a mark on the international stage. He led India to a dominant 4-1 victory in the recently concluded T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Young Indian talents offer hope
The other players mentioned by Karthik also boast impressive credentials. Gaikwad, known for his consistency, has amassed over 600 runs in T20 cricket. Tilak, a rising star, has already crossed the 300-run mark in the format. Abhishek, with his recent blistering century against Zimbabwe, has showcased his power-hitting capabilities.
The upcoming tour against Sri Lanka will provide a platform to some of these young players to stake their claim for a permanent spot in the Indian T20I setup. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026, India will be eager to find the right combination to continue their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
