Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli set to play T20 World Cup 2024 - Is their return in T20I a good move by BCCI ?

Is it right move to bring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20I squad ?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during World Cup

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made a comeback to the T20I squad after 14 long months. Both played last T20I match against England in 2022 T20 World Cup. After the 2022 Semi Final match Selectors give chances to the youngster in T20I and it was anticipated by the experts that BCCI will send an young Team in T20 World Cup 2024 but suddenly one series before the T20 World Cup 2024 Selectors has again turned their face towards these veterans. This posses a question whether this move is in right direction or not? We will have a look at it with an open mind here.

 
A Bid for T20 World Cup Glory

Both Rohit and Virat have played 5 T20 World Cups together but they have not win any T20 World Cup together in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2022. Although Rohit Sharma has won an inaugural edition of T20 World Cup in 2007 under MS Dhoni Captaincy. Virat Kohli has not won any T20 World Cup. Together both have not won any T20 World Cup. 2024 T20 World Cup will give them chance to win an ICC T20 World Cup trophy together in last leg of their illustrious careers and this will be biggest motivation for both of them to perform their best in this edition of T20 World Cup.

BCCI's Perspective

One of the senior BCCI's official said to the Dainik Bhaskar that BCCI wanted to play with the same team which played last ODI World Cup in 2023. He further stated that team played excellent in recently concluded World Cup although we did not win the trophy. India played aggressive cricket in that tournament and this will help in T20 format also. Both Rohit and Virat were part of core team of ODI World Cup 2023. This makes their comeback into this T20I side. 

Also Read- India's possible XI against Afghanistan

Statistical Brilliance

Let's delve into the numbers that define the T20I prowess of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli:

Player	No. of Matches	Runs Scored	Strike Rate	50/100
Rohit Sharma	148	3853	139.24	29/04
Virat Kohli	115	4008	137.96	37/01

Now Let's see their stats in T20 World Cups 

Player	No. of Matches	Runs Scored	Strike Rate	50/100
Rohit Sharma	39	963	127.88	0/9
Virat Kohli	27	1141	131.30	0/14

Experience Matters

On seeing such record if you are not in wow than I think you are not going to see these type of stats in near future in T20I format. India is blessed to have not one but two such phenomenon players. These numbers do not bring only personal records to table  but these numbers provides vast experience to the Indian team moving forward in T20 World Cup. Playing an young team in series matches is good but in an marquee event you need some experience players like these two. 

 A Modified Approach is what needed from both Rohit and Virat

In a press conference Rohit Sharma once said that we do not need anchor role in T20I anymore and it seems true seeing the present scenario in which T20 games have evolved. So to win the T20 World Cup  both of them will have to modify their approach a little in T20I. We expect Rohit to go hard at the top and Virat to maintain that tempo and the last but not the least the most important expectation of an ICT fan from both of them is to perform in the eliminators matches with a proper intent which is lacking in every edition of ICC tournaments not only with these two but from the whole team.  Rest all are okay with their selection in T20 squad.  It is a very good decision of selectors to include these two in the T20I set up and it will be best if they play T20 World Cup in June in 2024. Whatever buzz is going around will be mum if they won the T20 World Cup but if they fail to do so then this decision may cost an chance to win an ICC trophy for BCCI.

In conclusion, the selectors' decision to include Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the T20I setup is commendable. As they gear up for the T20 World Cup in June 2024, the experienced duo holds the key to India's aspirations for glory in this marquee event.