Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli’s regular absences from Team India’s T20I squad led to massive debate among the cricket fraternity and fans, with many concerned over the two superstars’ futures in the shorter format of the game.
Rohit and Kohli were not named in the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand at home, and it raised more questions over their future in the format as it was the third series in a row that the senior duo will not be seen in action.
They already missed the two T20I series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and now they will miss another one, but the BCCI and the team management continue to maintain silence on the matter.
Well, the legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has now reacted to Rohit and Kohli's continued absence from the T20I team. The former captain reckoned that the new selection committee wants to give more opportunities to the new players, which is why they haven't been picked for some time.
Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today: “The way I see it is that, the next T20 World Cup is in 2024, next year, and the new selection committee that has come wants to give more opportunities to the younger players. That doesn't mean that Kohli and Rohit won't be considered anymore.”
He added, “And if they have an impressive form throughout 2023 then they have to be in the team. The other factor is with the Australia series starting, the selectors might have wanted to rest them for the big contest so that they can make a fresh start against the Aussies and that will benefit India.”
The ODI series again New Zealand begins on January 18 and the T20I series from January 27.
