“Both Rohit and Virat are good enough to play any format” Ashish Nehra on future of India’s senior batters in T20is.
Former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra shared his insights on the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20 format. Since their last appearance in the ill-fated T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final, the senior duo has been absent from T20I cricket, and their inclusion in future line-ups remains uncertain.
The demanding cricketing schedule, focused on longer formats due to the World Test Championship (WTC) and the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023, has further complicated their potential role in the T20I team. With the 2024 T20 World Cup just over six months away, the selectors and the experienced pair need to reach a decision on their participation in the T20I setup.Ashish Nehra is optimistic about the duo’s ability to contribute to India’s T20I squad, citing their recent form.
“Virat Kohli is scoring 800 runs, 1000 runs in a calendar year. The way Rohit Sharma is batting, any selector will be tempted. Although they might have a discussion about whether or not Kohli and Rohit want to play the format ‘okay I might not play, I might rest.”
“Unless they announce their retirement from the format in some time, I hope that’s not the case. Both Rohit and Virat are good enough to play any format as long as they are scoring runs and having fun,” he added.
. Virat Kohli, especially, demonstrated his T20 prowess during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kohli’s outstanding performance saw him amass 639 runs in 14 matches, including two centuries, at a striking rate of 139.82.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, showcased his aggressive batting style in the recently concluded ODI World Cup. Although a distinct format, Sharma displayed skills that could seamlessly transition into T20 cricket. As the cricketing world anticipates the selectors’ decision, Nehra believes that both Kohli and Sharma still possess the skill and form to make valuable contributions to India’s T20I team.