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Virat Kohli Gears Up For 1st T20I In 14 Months But Should Not Open With Rohit Sharma. Ex-India Star Explains Why

Former Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Saba Karim believes that Virat Kohli should not open the batting with Rohit Sharma in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan. India defeated Afghanistan in the first T20I encounter in Mohali on Thursday but Kohli did not play the game due to 'personal reasons'. However, the star batter will be back for the second game and there were rumours that he can become Rohit's opening partner. Saba said that India will need Kohli to play a crucial role at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup and considering the pitches in West Indies, Kohli should stick to his familiar role.

"Shubman Gill Should Have Just...": Ex India Star's Blunt Verdict On Rohit Sharma Run-Out During Afghanistan T20I

India defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in the first T20I encounter in Mohali on Thursday but it was not without controversies as skipper Rohit Sharma was left frustrated after he was dismissed for a duck following a mix-up with opening partner Shubman Gill. Rohit played a delivery from Fazalhaq Farooqi to mid-off and called for a single. However, Gill was watching the ball and did not move resulting in Rohit getting run-out without scoring a single run. The veteran batter was clearly livid at the situation and he was even seen gesturing his frustration to Gill. Former India wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel supported Rohit and said that Gill should have trusted his skipper's call and gone for the single.

"If You Can't Pick Them...": Sunil Gavaskar Has A New Role For Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma

A lot of debate took place over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's possible inclusion in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad but a return to T20I cricket after 14 months in the series against Afghanistan has possibly provided a sneak peek at what the Indian cricket team selectors are planning for the future. Both Rohit and Virat will be making their return to the shortest format of the sport after last playing in November 2022. While questions still remain over their T20 World Cup selection, Sunil Gavaskar backed both of them to make the cut even if they have an ordinary Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign.

"Why Didn't Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Play After T20 World Cup..." Ex-BCCI Selector's Big Take On Stars' T20I Comeback

The biggest development that will happening in Indian cricket starting on Thursday will be the return of Rohit Sharma in T20I cricket. Both he and Virat Kohli were named in the T20I squad for the three match series against Afghanistan, which is the last T20I contest that Indian cricket team will be playing ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. While Virat Kohli will not play the first T20I against Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma will play. Speaking to Star Sports, former Chief of Selectors MSK Prasad spoke on having the best possible team play against Afghanistan

"Rinku Singh Will Miss Out": Ex India Star On Repercussions Of Kohli, Rohit's Surprise T20I Return

The return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to India's T20I squad for the series against Afghanistan hasn't fully buried the questions surrounding their future in the shortest format but triggered a few more about the Indian team's plans for the T20 World Cup 2024. Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta admitted that he was surprised to see Kohli and Rohit being recalled in the T20I format, having the belief that the management has moved on from them. But their return brings the story back to square one for Dasgupta.

'Thought Team Has Moved On' Ex-India Star On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Return

Former Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta said that he was a 'little surprised' at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's return for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. Rohit and Virat last played a T20I for India back in November 2022 when they faced England in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals. Since then, they have prioritised the longer formats but their return for the Afghanistan series has provided a sneak peek into the team management's possible plans for the T20 World Cup 2024.

"Not The Only Player Who Failed": Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Take On Shreyas Iyer's Form

India's tour of South Africa left a bitter-sweet taste in the mouths of Indian players. The 1-1 draw was satisfactory but the performance of Indian batters on tricky pitches left a lot to be desired. One batter who particularly underperformed was Shreyas Iyer, scoring just 41 runs in 4 innings at an average of 13.67. However, India legend Sunil Gavaskar doesn't think the selectors will look too much into Iyer's performance as he wasn't the only batter who failed in the 2-match series.

"You Get Slow When...": Sunil Gavaskar's No Nonsense Take On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Future

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in the T20 World Cup in June, saying the two senior players are not only the key batters but also terrific fielders in the Indian team. Both Rohit and Kohli have not played a T20I since India's semifinal loss to England at the 2022 T20 World Cup but the duo is keen to return to the shortest format. "What makes me feel good is their fielding. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still great fielders and will be of great help on the field. In addition to seniority in the dressing room, they will contribute on the field, too," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

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Virat Kohli Gears Up For 1st T20I In 14 Months But Should Not Open With Rohit Sharma. Ex-India Star Explains Why

"Shubman Gill Should Have Just...": Ex India Star's Blunt Verdict On Rohit Sharma Run-Out During Afghanistan T20I

"If You Can't Pick Them...": Sunil Gavaskar Has A New Role For Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma

"Why Didn't Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Play After T20 World Cup..." Ex-BCCI Selector's Big Take On Stars' T20I Comeback

"Rinku Singh Will Miss Out": Ex India Star On Repercussions Of Kohli, Rohit's Surprise T20I Return

'Thought Team Has Moved On' Ex-India Star On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Return

"Not The Only Player Who Failed": Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Take On Shreyas Iyer's Form

"You Get Slow When...": Sunil Gavaskar's No Nonsense Take On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Future