India’s star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven’t played a T20I since the team’s T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final exit.

With the Cricket World Cup scheduled this year, both of them mainly focused on ODIs and the longest format. However, the T20 World Cup is slated to take place in the West Indies and USA next year and it remains to be seen whether the two stalwarts make it to the squad or not.

Meanwhile, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has batted for Rohit and Kohli’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

“I personally would like to see them. The reason for that is where we are playing in the World Cup. The World Cup is in the West Indies, and those pitches have changed. Obviously, it’s an ICC event, the pitches will be better. That’s what we hope as far as the batting conditions are concerned,” Pathan said during a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’.

According to Irfan, the experience of Rohit and Kohli will be useful in the tough conditions expected in the Caribbean Islands.

“However, if you look at the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and local cricket there as well, the batters need to work really hard. This is where the experience comes in. We played really well in the 50-over World Cup, except for one game, so you don’t want to change too many things,” he added.

After the T20 World Cup 2022, Hardik Pandya led the Indian T20I team until the all-rounder picked up an ankle injury in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

In Hardik’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav captained the side in the recently held five-T20I series against Australia at home. Surya will also lead the T20I team in the upcoming tour of South Africa as Pandya is yet to regain his full fitness.

However, Irfan Pathan wants Rohit Sharma to lead the Indian team in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“A lot of people are talking about the need for a fresh approach in T20 cricket, but I think guys like Rohit Sharma, the way he is going at the moment, he has been the real leader of Indian cricket.”

“The way he has changed the approach, taken the responsibility on his shoulders and taken the team forward, he has actually changed the mindset. That is why I really hope that Rohit Sharma continues as the leader, and at the same time, you can always use guys like Virat Kohli and his experience,” he opined.