Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to step away from playing T20 Internationals, according to sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision comes after Rohit did not participate in any T20 matches since India’s exit from the T20 World Cup semi-finals in November 2022. During this period, Hardik Pandya has mostly captained the Indian team in T20Is.
Rohit Sharma, who has played 148 T20Is and scored 3853 runs with a strike-rate of nearly 140, has reportedly had discussions with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, regarding his future in the shortest format. The senior BCCI source stated, “It is not a new development. Rohit hasn’t played any T20Is in the past year as the focus was on the ODI World Cup. He has volunteered to stay away from T20Is. It has completely been Rohit’s call.”
India currently has four openers – Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad – who have all proven their skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, if the younger players fail to perform, the selectors or the BCCI may request Rohit Sharma to reconsider his decision.
Given his career stage, it is understandable that Rohit Sharma wants to manage his workload and minimize the risk of injuries. With the upcoming seven Test matches scheduled between December 2023 and March 2024, Rohit’s focus will primarily be on red-ball cricket. He still has a realistic chance of leading India to another World Test Championship final in 2025, considering his exceptional performances in the traditional format since becoming an opener in 2019.
In other news, it is likely that the pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will lead India’s bowling attack in the two-Test series against South Africa alongside Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. However, due to the demanding schedule of five Tests in five weeks against England early next year, the pace trio will be rotated during the series.
After recovering from a lower back stress fracture that forced him to take a long break from competitive cricket, Bumrah has regained his form and fitness. A BCCI source assured, “Bumrah is fighting fit… He is back at his peak fitness and is itching to play the Test matches. With Bumrah and Shami, you need to use them based on what is the priority format at a given time.”
In summary, Rohit Sharma’s decision to step away from T20 Internationals is aimed at managing his workload, while Bumrah’s return to peak fitness is anticipated to strengthen India’s bowling attack in the upcoming Test matches.
