Rohit Sharma to guide India at 2024 T20 World Cup
Rohit Sharma will lead India on the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. BCCI secretary Jay Shah mentioned as a lot at the moment, whereas talking to the media at an occasion in Rajkot.
This would be the second time Rohit leads India at a T20 World Cup, having accomplished it in 2022 as nicely. In that event, performed in Australia, India misplaced the semi-final to eventual champions England. Rohit didn’t function in T20Is after that, not enjoying a single T20I in 2023. But he was referred to as again in January 2024, to guide towards Afghanistan. That transfer from the selectors appeared to sign Rohit was all however sure to guide on the World Cup, which will likely be performed within the USA and West Indies in June. Shah, at the moment, confirmed the identical.
“The fact that he was returning after a year to lead in the Afghanistan series recently meant he was obviously going to [lead in the T20 World Cup],” Shah mentioned at an occasion to rename the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium.
Under Rohit, India misplaced final yr’s ODI World Cup final at dwelling, and days later Suryakumar Yadav was main the T20I aspect towards Australia. Suryakumar additionally led India within the shortest format in South Africa in December, and Mumbai Indians introduced that Hardik Pandya would be taking over captaincy of the franchise from Rohit. Then, Rohit made his comeback against Afghanistan in January. After bagging geese within the first two matches, he scored 121 not out, changing into the primary man to 5 T20I a whole bunch.
Shah mentioned that whereas Rohit will lead India on the World Cup, Hardik – who had led India within the shortest format in a number of sequence in 2023 – stays the first long-term choice. Shah mentioned Rohit’s recall within the quick time period was necessitated by Hardik getting injured throughout the ODI World Cup. “In T20s, Hardik will be the captain for certain [in the future].
“Rohit has the power, we all know. As he confirmed within the ODI World Cup the place we received 10 matches in a row till the ultimate. I’m assured that India will raise the 2024 T20 World Cup beneath Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in Barbados.”
Will Virat Kohli play 2024 T20 World Cup?
Like Rohit, India’s selection committee, led by former pacer Ajit Agarkar, had also recalled Virat Kohli for T20I series against Afghanistan. And like Rohit, Kohli, too, was back for the format for the first time since the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Asked today whether Kohli will be part of the showpiece event in June, Shah merely said: “We will discuss him [soon].” Kohli had opted out of the first match of the Afghanistan series for personal reasons, but played the final two games, scoring 29 and a duck.
Since then Kohli has not played, having opted out of the England Test series too for personal reasons. Shah said the BCCI will continue to support Kohli but offered no other details on his absence. “If an individual, for the primary time in a 15-year profession, asks for private go away, it is his proper. Virat just isn’t a participant who will ask for go away for no purpose. We have to belief our participant and again him.”
Will India travel to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan? Government’s call, says Shah
Shah was also asked whether India would travel to Pakistan next year to play the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be between February and March. Shah said that was not for the BCCI to decide but for the government of India.
“India’s place [on travelling to Pakistan] could be primarily based on what the federal government decides,” he said.
Pakistan travelled to India for the 2023 World Cup but, just before that, in August-September last year, the Asia Cup – hosted by the PCB – was played across Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with India playing all their games in Sri Lanka. With political ties between the two countries being strained, India have not travelled to Pakistan for a cricket series since the 2008 Asia Cup.
Mandatory for contracted players to play domestic cricket, says Shah
Shah also said that it is mandatory for centrally contracted players, as well as those in the wider India pool as shortlisted by the national selectors, to play domestic cricket tournaments as directed. Shah said he spoke with Agarkar recently and gave him a “free hand” to take calls on the matter.
Shah’s opinion on this was sought specifically because there has been questions surrounding wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who has not been playing the Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand despite being left out of the India squad for the ongoing England Test series.
Shah said while he would not draw attention to Kishan specifically, he would be sending out a directive soon that all fit centrally contracted players need to make themselves available for selection in domestic cricket. “I’m going to write down a letter tomorrow that if the chairman of selectors, coach or captain inform you that it’s a must to play red-ball cricket, then it’s a must to play. We will observe the NCA [National Cricket Academy] medical employees recommendation on participant health. If you’re match then no excuse [for not playing] will likely be entertained.
“This applies to all centrally contracted players, they have to play. The player cannot decide his future, the selectors need to decide that. If the player is good in red-ball, he has to play [the format].”