"You Cannot Solely...": Wasim Akram's Sharp Take On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Future

25.11.2023 - 03:14 sports.ndtv.com

The discussion about the T20I future of two veteran India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continues to hog limelight. After the end of India's Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, the topic is getting more attention.

It is worth noting that both the batters have not played a T20I for India since the side's 10-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the semi-final of T20 World Cup in November last year.

There is not doubt that the Indian cricket team is looking to include as many youngsters in the T20I team as possible but Rohit and Kohli's sublime forms in ODI cricket have kept them in strong contention for the T20 mega event in 2024.

While giving his take on the T20I future of the two players, Pakistan great Wasim Akram said India will be needing them the duo in the T20 World Cup next year. "T20 World Cup is just a few months away.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team Pakistan Cricket Team on Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Wasim Akram Australia India Pakistan

India skipper Rohit Sharma has currently taken a break from cricket after the disappointing loss in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia. He then went on to miss the five-match T20I series against Australia, followed by a white-ball series against South Africa. However, on a positive note, the 36-year-old batter and his wife Ritika Sajdeh are celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary on Wednesday. To celebrate their special day, Rohit shared some adorable images with Ritika, along with a sweet caption.

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Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has praised 'Men in Blue' skipper Rohit Sharma and said that he has done a great job during the ODI World Cup 2023. In an interview during 'ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash', Gambhir said India dominated the World Cup and had just one bad game. "In captaincy, Rohit has done a very, very good job. It is not easy to win five IPL trophies. The way India have dominated in the last 50-over World Cup and I said that before the World Cup final as well...I said that irrespective of the result, whatever the result is after the World Cup, India played like a champion side. One bad game doesn't make Rohit Sharma or this side a bad team. Ten games and the way they have dominated the whole tournament. Just because of one bad game if you call Rohit Sharma a bad captain, this is not fair," Gambhir said.

"Don't Hold A Press Conference After...": Wasim Akram's Cheeky Advice For PCB

Pakistan's iconic pacer, Wasim Akram, slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to sack Salman Butt after 24 hours of his appointment as the consultant to Chief Selector Wahab Riaz. Wasim took to X, slammed the PCB for their decision to remove Butt and stated that the board should stick to their decision. "Don't hold a press conference after every three minutes. Stick to your decision. You [PCB] should be aware of the consequences of your decision [...] Think before [you make a decision]. Be brave," Akram said in a video he shared on X. Wahab Riaz convened a press conference on Saturday to announce that Butt's name was withdrawn from the consulting panel with immediate effect, according to ESPNcricinfo. The southpaw, who represented Pakistan in both red-ball and white-ball formats, was suspended after pleading guilty to a spot-fixing incident during a Test against England at Lords in 2010.

"You Will Not Be Spared": Pakistan Star Recounts Warning Virat Kohli Before Dismissing Him

Any India vs Pakistan clash is a closely watched affair. It's a match where reputations are made and destroyed. Virat Kohli is a player who has seen many India vs Pakistan contests, often dominating the arch-rivals. However, during Pakistan's Tour of India in 2012-13, Virat Kohli was dismissed thrice by the same bowler. That bowler was Pakistan left-arm pacer Junaid Khan. The veteran has recalled he warned the Indian cricket team before dismissing him.

"Laddu Khilaya Hai...": Wasim Akram Blasts Foreign Coaches For Fooling Pakistan

The Pakistan cricket team is going through a lot of contemplation. After a disappointing Cricket World Cup under skipper Babar Azam, where they finished fifth, the national team has seen a lot of changes. They have a new Test captain (Shan Masood) and a T20I captain (Shaheen Afridi). The selection panel is also new. The first task of the new-look Pakistan cricket team will start in Australia in the next few days.

"Everyone Will Tell You MS Dhoni Is Best Captain, But Rohit Sharma Is...": R Ashwin Hits Bullseye

India captain Rohit Sharma continues to remain absent from the national T20I side and has also taken a break from the ODI format for the series against South Africa. As fans remain hopeful of his return to white-ball cricket, there have been talks around his continuity as India's skipper. Though India failed to win the ODI World Cup 2023 under Rohit's leadership, the campaign for the hosts was far from a disappointing one. But, it's also true that after MS Dhoni, no other Indian skipper has managed to crack the ICC code in the Indian team.