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[Saba Sports News] India’s loss to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final has sparked discussions about the T20I futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Reports indicate they won’t be available for the upcoming white-ball series in South Africa, which includes three ODIs and T20Is.
Neither Rohit nor Kohli have participated in a T20I since India’s defeat by England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final. West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell considers it ‘madness’ if India excludes them from the T20 World Cup squad, citing their potential and experience.
“I don’t know why this is a big thing (the debate on Rohit and Virat). Social media can actually get in the way of cricketers by questioning their potential. Rohit with the experience and Virat being Virat, it would be madness if India pick a team for the (T20) World Cup and they are not in them,” Russel was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
He equates their significance to that of Sachin Tendulkar, noting their affinity for big matches and contribution to Indian cricket.
“Rohit is a big game player. Kohli loves the big stage. When a player enjoys being in such a situation, he is not nervous or tentative. I hope the board doesn’t listen to the media and decide. I would definitely give them this World Cup. Don’t treat big players like that. They have done so much for Indian cricket. They are right in that bracket of Sachin Tendulkar. So, it will be unfair to them. It will be madness if they are not picked,” he added.
Rohit and Kohli are the top two run-scorers in T20I history, with Rohit’s 16 years of experience, including all eight T20 World Cups, and Kohli being the leading run-scorer in T20Is and the T20 World Cup, along with two Player of the Tournament awards. Russell believes omitting them from the squad would be a significant risk for India.