Rohit Sharma T20 Format
Rohit Sharma has resigned from the T20 format India’s ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma is now unlikely to play in T20 Internationals and has discussed his future in the shorter format of the game ahead of the start of the 50-over World Cup. Sources of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) have given this information. Since India’s exit from the T20 World Cup in November 2022 (Rohit Sharma last played a T20 in 2022), Rohit has not played a single match in the shorter format. Since then, Hardik Pandya has mostly led the Indian team.
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A senior BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity, “This is nothing new. Rohit has not played a single T20 international for the past one year as he was focused on the ODI World Cup. He also discussed this in depth with chief selector Ajit Agarkar. He himself expressed his desire to stay away from T20 Internationals. This is entirely Rohit’s decision.
Apart from Rohit, India have four opening batsmen in Shubman Gill, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad and all have performed well in the IPL. If the young players do not perform well then the selectors or BCCI officials may ask Rohit to reconsider his decision. It is understood that at this stage of his career, Rohit wants to take charge so that he can remain injury-free for the rest of his career.
Therefore, it will be impossible for him to play every year in all three formats and the IPL, while there are seven Tests to be played from December 2023 to March 2024, leaving the Indian captain to focus mostly on Tests. He can lead India to a second World Test Championship final in 2025 and since opening the innings for India in 2019, his form has been superb in this traditional format of the game.
If all goes well, Indian fast bowling leader Jasprit Bumrah will bowl alongside Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj in the two-Test series in South Africa. With five Tests against England in five weeks early next year, the fast bowling trio will be rotated during the series. Questions have been raised about Bumrah playing red-ball cricket, returning after a break from competitive cricket due to injury, but informed sources said he is ready for it.
A BCCI source said, “Bumrah is fit and the results are in front of everyone. He is at the peak of fitness and eager to play Test matches. With Bumrah and Shami, you have to use them depending on the priority of the format. If all goes well, Bumrah will definitely play in the T20 World Cup.