Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite not featuring in T20 Internationals since the 2022 T20 World Cup, have reportedly communicated their availability for selection in the shortest format to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
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The duo are likely to feature in the T20 World Cup in June and are eyeing the Indian Premier League (IPL) to prepare for the global tournament.
But things took a bizarre turn when ICC (International Cricket Council) released its poster for the event after announcing the schedule on Friday.
A cloud of uncertainty still looms over the captaincy of team India in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially declared the full-time T20I captain and it remains a doubt whether Rohit or Hardik Pandya will lead the team.
While Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the T20 World Cup, promoted the marquee India vs Pakistan clash with Hardik and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the poster boys, the ICC placed Rohit among other captains on its poster.
ICYMI, the schedule for the 2024 ICC Men's #T20WorldCup is out 🏆
— ICC (@ICC) January 5, 2024
It's the game we've all been waiting for! 🤯#TeamIndia takes on #Pakistan in the #T20WorldCup2024 in New York! 🗽
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 5, 2024
It can't get any better than this! 😍
Will 🇮🇳 claim their 7️⃣th T20 WC victory over their arch rivals?#Cricket pic.twitter.com/a8BDiIZFJ4
Indian fans were divided on their opinion as a section of them slammed Star Sports for putting Hardik in the poster as they firmly believe that Rohit should have the responsibility to lead the side in the ICC event.
Star Sports posters for T20 World Cup feature Hardik Pandya & NOT Rohit Sharma. This, even though Rohit is officially India’s T20 captain as of now.
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) January 5, 2024
If Rohit doesn’t make it through captaincy quota, will he be in the team? pic.twitter.com/yUU6gUOXbz
Ab btao bina puchhe hi Rohit Sharma ko captaincy se sack kar diya. 😭😭
— Abhishek Kumar (@abhishekumar_18) January 5, 2024
Hardik Pandya Likely to lead Team India in T20 WC 2024 pic.twitter.com/bQurpjGUMr
India will play only three T20 Internationals against Afghanistan before the T20 World Cup in June.
Hardik and Suryakumar Yadav are unavailable for selection due to injuries for the Afghanistan series which necessitates the selection committee to appoint a new captain for the T20s.
It remains to be seen if Rohit will be handed over the reins in T20 or if a new face will be allowed to lead the side.
Virat Kohli to be left out of T20 team?
With the India T20 squad for the home series against Afghanistan likely to be picked later today, the latest updates on the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to Sports Tak, are that Rohit could remain in charge of a young team while the management looks to move on from Kohli.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah to be rested against Afghanistan
In a strategic move, the selection committee will likely rest fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming T20 games against Afghanistan.
Despite playing crucial roles in India's recent victory over South Africa in Cape Town, the committee aims to preserve them for the Test matches against England as the team management prioritizes the fitness of these key pacers.
The selection committee, comprising SS Das, Salil Ankola, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar is in Cape Town, preparing for the crucial selection meeting scheduled on Friday.
These developments indicate a strategic approach by the Indian team management and selection committee to balance player availability, rest key players, and plan for the upcoming series against Afghanistan and England.
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