Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s selection headlined India’s T20I squad picked for the three-match series against Afghanistan earlier this week.
The two batting stalwarts haven’t played in the shortest format for India since November 2022. Last year, they focused on the 50-over format with the Cricket World Cup taking precedence.
Fans and experts were left divided after Rohit and Kohli returned to the T20I fold. While many consider it a backward step, former India cricketer Suresh Raina feels it is a wise call with the T20 World Cup 2024 fast approaching.
The series against Afghanistan, starting on January 11 in Mohali, marks India's final T20I assignment before the global event in the West Indies and USA.
"If you look at the World Cup venues (in the USA and the West Indies), the wicket will be a bit tricky. India will need the experience of Rohit and Kohli there. Kohli is about to make 12000 runs in T20 cricket. So, their presence will boost India's batting. Their presence will certainly better India's chances to win the T20 WC," Raina, an expert with JioCinema and Sports18, said in a select interaction.
"Their form in the ODI World Cup was very good, and Rohit brings in a lot of intent to the dressing room as the leader as well."
Raina backed Kohli for the No. 3 slot, leaving the opening spots to Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
"I think Kohli should bat at No. 3. His experience will bring in some solidity, especially in the challenging pitches in the US and the Caribbean. There are fearless, young cricketers like Jaiswal, Rinku Singh or Shubman Gill but Rohit and Kohli will give the unit a lot of solidity. Their presence is very important when we chase a target especially in a high-pressure event like the World Cup," he opined.
Suresh Raina was effusive in praise of Rinku Singh, who has already made a mark with his finishing abilities in his short T20I career so far.
"Rinku has done well in the available opportunities for him and he showed a lot of presence of mind as a finisher as well. He is a fearless cricketer.
"It is important to have him around and if Rishabh Pant gets fit in time (for WC), then the team will have another match-winner," he remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
