Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must be part of India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June.
Both Rohit and Virat haven't been part of India's T20I team since the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals in Australia, where India faced a 10-wicket loss to England.
In their absence, young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been getting opportunities as part of the Indian cricket team's preparation for the future.
Since Virat and Rohit are not India’s scheme of things in T20Is, there were questions about their place in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad, but Harbhajan feels it would be good for the team to have a great mixture of experienced and young bloods for the mega event.
Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. “I think both Virat and Rohit should be there in the World Cup...I think a good combination would be possible only when you have good senior players too with the youth. Virat and Rohit have a lot of mettle in them...I think they should play.”
Virat, in 115 matches, leads the run-scoring charts with 4,008 runs at an impressive average of 52.73. He has notched up one century and 37 fifties, boasting a highest score of 122* and a strike rate of 137.96.
Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, accumulating 3,853 runs at an average of 31.32 and a brisk strike rate of 139.24. With four centuries and 29 fifties to his name, his highest score is 118.
The 2011 World Cup winner further hailed India’s decision to send a young team for the ongoing limited-overs series in South Africa, but stressed on the importance of giving youngsters time to learn. He said that playing in South Africa, especially for bowlers, is challenging.
The AAP MP continued, “This is a young team; I think we should give them some time. We are very result-oriented, and our team is good only if they give results. That is not the case. I think that if we give them time, they will obviously learn. We will have to change ourselves a little as we judge teams on results too quickly. Results take time. This team is in the process. South Africa is not an easy place to play, especially for bowlers.”
Speaking about India defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia, the commentator noted, “India lost the World Cup final because they did not play well. Australia played better and played boldly. We succumbed to the pressure after losing the third wicket.”
Harbhajan signed off by saying, “We could have scored 280-290 runs. A lot of blame is being placed on pitch, dew and conditions, but we must accept that we did not play well under pressure.”
(With ANI Inputs)
