Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes senior hitters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve to be part of Men in Blue’s T20I squad.
Sharma and Kohli haven’t featured in India’s shortest-format squad since last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. In addition, the breeders have not yet given details on their absence.
Ganguly felt that the two veteran hitters shouldn’t be dropped to the side. He also pointed out how Kohli showed terrific form in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2023). He told RevSportz:
“Pick your best players no matter who they are. In my opinion, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma always have a place in T20I cricket and I don’t see why a Kohli or a Rohit can’t play T20I cricket. Kohli was in great shape in the IPL, and both have their place in T20 cricket, if you ask me.”
Kohli and Sharma will then be seen in action in the next two-game Test series between India and West Indies, starting on Wednesday July 12. They will also take part in the ensuing three-game ODI series.
However, they were not chosen for the five T20I encounters. Hardik Pandya will lead a young Indian team for the series.
“I’m pretty sure their time will come” – Sourav Ganguly on Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad
The likes of Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Jitesh Sharma failed to secure a spot in India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series despite impressive IPL campaigns.
Sourav Ganguly suggested that these youngsters will need to play more games and make sure they make the most of those opportunities. He added:
“They just have to keep playing. They will have to keep playing regardless of their chances. It happens all the time. Only 15 can be chosen in the squad and 11 can play. So someone must be missing. I’m at pretty sure their time will come.”
The opening match of the T20I series between India and the West Indies will be played at the Brian Lara stadium in Tarouba on August 3.
