New Delhi, The re-entry of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma into the T20I format for the upcoming Afghanistan series has stirred controversy. Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has voiced his concerns, labeling the decision as “directionless” and drawing parallels to the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Kohli and Rohit had opted out of T20Is since India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 World Cup, providing an opportunity for emerging talents like Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Jitesh Sharma. India experienced a transition phase, exploring new players and nurturing a younger squad.
However, Dasgupta finds the recall of Kohli and Rohit for the Afghanistan series questionable, especially considering the criticism senior players faced for their approach in the last T20 World Cup. Speaking to Star Sports, Dasgupta expressed surprise, stating, “I thought the team had moved on from Rohit and Kohli.”
Dasgupta highlighted the continuity in the middle-order batting order, signaling that the core of the team remains unchanged from the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Concerns were raised about the impact on promising talents like Rinku Singh, who showcased his abilities as a finisher in the T20 format.
With Kohli, Rohit, and the expected inclusion of injured players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav, Dasgupta speculates that players like Rinku Singh might miss out on a spot in the playing XI. He questioned the direction of India’s T20I squad selection, urging clarity and a strategic approach, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
