Sunil Gavaskar shares his verdict on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s future in T20I cricket
The former cricketer also mentioned that the selectors might have given them rest in the last two T20I series, just to keep them fit for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The future of two of India’s biggest stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in T20I cricket, looks pale at the moment. The duo is not a part of the T20I series against New Zealand and didn't feature in the T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier either, the plan at the moment appears to test youngsters in the road to the T20 World Cup 2024.
Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes that it is not the end of the road in T20Is for Rohit and Virat. He believes that the board is indeed trying to give opportunities to young talent but if these two cricketers prove themselves in 2023, they can be a part of the T20 World Cup 2024.
“The way I see it is that, the next T20 World Cup is in 2024, next year, and the new selection committee that has come wants to give more opportunities to the younger players. That doesn't mean that Kohli and Rohit won't be considered anymore. And if they have an impressive form throughout 2023, then they have to be in the team,” the 73-year-old said to India Today.
The former cricketer also mentioned that the selectors might have given them rest in the last two T20I series, just to keep them fit for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“The other factor is with the Australia series starting, the selectors might have wanted to rest them for the big contest so that they can make a fresh start against the Aussies and that will benefit India,” he added.
Gavaskar makes massive statement on Virat matching Sachin’s 100-centuries record
The former cricketer believes that if Virat Kohli plays for another five or six years, he can eventually match Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. He stated that the ‘Master Blaster’ played till 40 and if Virat manages to maintain that longevity, he can join him at the summit.
“In case he plays, 5 or 6 years, he will get to the 100. There's no doubt about it. His average is about 6-7 hundreds a year. So if that happens, then surely he can add another 26 hundreds in the next 5-6 years, if he plays till 40,” Gavaskar said on Aaj Tak.
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