Rohit and Kohli to play T20Is for first time since T20 World Cup 2022.
The veteran duo will be playing T20I for the first time since the T20 World Cup 2022, in the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan beginning 11 January. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav remain absent due to injuries, while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been rested.
BCCI's faith in the Rohit and Kohli duo means the two batting superstars are well and truly in consideration for spots in the T20 World Cup this year, scheduled in the West Indies and the USA.
De Villiers said that while the criticism of their comeback is understandable, they are important for India in terms of the T20 World Cup 2024. De Villiers also wished he had been shown the same faith by Cricket South Africa when he wanted to come out of his retirement and play in the 2019 World Cup.
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“I understand (criticism on the selection of Rohit and Kohli), but at the end of the day, it is a cricket World Cup. If Virat Kohli is good enough, he has to play. I don't care whether he is managing his career due to age. 20-year-olds will understand that the likes of Rohit and Virat are needed to help India win the T20 World Cup. I wish I had that management when I was 35,” AB de Villiers said on his official YouTube channel.
“I think India have shown their intent by adding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to their T20I squad. They're clearly thinking about the T20 World Cup,” said the former South Africa batter further.
The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played on January 11 in Mohali.