Rohit said that I have not decided to leave the T20 International format
India’s Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma on Monday said that he has no plans to ‘give up T20 Internationals’. If sources are to be believed in the Indian Cricket Board, the board wants to prepare a young team under the leadership of Hardik for the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies and America in 2024. Rohit, former skipper Virat Kohli and veteran Lokesh Rahul were not included in the shorter format squad for the recently concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Rohit said on the eve of the first ODI against Sri Lanka, “We have six T20 Internationals to play, out of which three are over. We need to keep an eye on these players till the IPL (Indian Premier League). Let’s see what will happen after IPL. But definitely I have not made up my mind to say goodbye to any format.
Rohit said in response to a question from ‘PTI-Bhasha’, “This is the year of the 50-over World Cup and I think it is already clear (preparation according to the format of the World Cup). And it is not possible for many players to play in all formats. The Indian captain said that the team of new players (T20 series) against Sri Lanka was fielded under the charge management of some senior players. Rohit said, “If you look at the schedule, matches are happening continuously. So, given the workload of some of the players, we want to make sure that they get enough time and manage them. I also definitely fall in that (category).”
Rohit, Kohli and Lokesh Rahul faced a lot of criticism for batting in the old style in tournaments like Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. It is understood that Rohit will take a call on his future in T20 Internationals after assessing his performance in the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians. Kohli’s position is also similar in this matter. Rahul, however, has been dropped from the T20 International team. Rahul is no longer being considered as a possible captain of the national team. Rohit was also asked who could be a possible contender for India’s captaincy in ODIs and Tests after him. Rohit said, “It is difficult to say now. Everyone’s attention is on the ODI World Cup. We also have a World Test Championship match. You will have to wait in this case.
