As India wraps up a historic tour in South Africa, attention swiftly shifts to the looming challenge of white-ball cricket, marking the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the T20 International arena. The star duo, absent from T20Is for over a year, is reportedly eager to make a final push for an ICC trophy at the T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the USA and West Indies. However, the decision to include both stalwarts in the T20 squad rests on the shoulders of the BCCI selectors, and a recent PTI report suggests a reluctance to accommodate both Rohit and Kohli.
Rohit Sharma inclusion seemed unquestionable, given his stellar performance in the ODI World Cup last year and the prevailing injury concerns surrounding Hardik Pandya, who led the T20I side in Rohit’s absence. The situation is not as straightforward for Virat Kohli, whose impressive T20 record is tempered by concerns about his strike rate.
“If you have Rohit, Shubman Gill, Virat, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik constituting your top five then where is your left-hander? Now, let’s assume you drop Kohli and play Gill at No.3 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening with Rohit. Can Ajit take that bold call,” a former national selector told PTI.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar flew to South Africa to engage with the veterans, and both players expressed their availability. However, the selection committee, led by Agarkar, appears hesitant to pair Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad, citing potential balance issues.
With only four days until the first T20I against Afghanistan, the BCCI is yet to announce the squad for the series starting on January 11. Agarkar’s return to India is anticipated to precede the squad announcement, leaving the final decision likely in the hands of BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
The balance game for BCCI ft Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
The challenge lies in maintaining team balance with both Rohit and Kohli in the playing XI. The dilemma becomes evident when considering the inclusion of left-handed options, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan. The former national selector suggests that if both Rohit and Kohli play, it would necessitate a bold move, potentially dropping Kohli and reshuffling the batting order.
External factors, including promotions by the ICC and team marketing, add to the complexity of the decision-making process. The looming question is whether to include both veterans, exclude them, or wait for IPL performances to gauge their T20 World Cup readiness.
“The flexibility will always be an issue but there would always be external factors that need to be countered. Did you see ICC promoting the tourney with Kohli’s giant billboard video in New York. MI handle put that aerial advert of Rohit and Shaheen Shah Afridi. So there will be external pressure,” a former BCCI office-bearer said.
The power dynamics within the BCCI, particularly the influence of Jay Shah in empowering Agarkar’s committee, will play a pivotal role in resolving this selection puzzle. As the cricketing fraternity awaits the squad announcement, the selectors find themselves navigating the delicate balance between experience and flexibility, cognizant of the external pressures shaping their decisions.
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