For the looming T20I series against Afghanistan, Team India made a contentious decision in their team selection. Rohit Sharma, absent for over a year, was chosen to rejoin the team in this format.
As the newly minted leader for the upcoming series, Rohit’s role helps shape Team India’s strategy for the 2024 T20 World Cup. This choice has triggered considerable negative feedback. Many fans view it as a wrong move.
It’s easy to see why people may think this way. Rohit Sharma has struggled at the top of the order in both T20Is and the Indian Premier League (IPL) for years now. Plus, he’s nearer to 40 than 30.
Under Hardik Pandya, India seemed to have a new direction. But now it appears they’ve circled back. Yet, this round could yield different results. Even if Rohit’s selection wasn’t merit-based, several details may work to the seasoned opener’s advantage.
Here are three reasons why India selected Rohit Sharma for the Twenty20 International team against Afghanistan, and it was the perfect decision.
1. Shubman Gill’s T20I struggles
Indeed, Shubman Gill has not had a steady sequence of T20Is to leave a mark; India concentrated on the 50-over model all through 2023. While it’s not his fault, the fact remains that his position isn’t secure.
Although Gill concluded as the clear Orange Cap champion after an impressive IPL season, there are some concerns about his adaptability. He hasn’t been able to deliver when the batting circumstances have been difficult.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, on the other hand, appears to be a more complete player at the moment and has produced outstanding contributions at the top. One place may have been secured by the left-hander, but the other is still open.
If Gill had done more to earn his place, the situation would have been different. Despite his century from the previous year, the 24-year-old hasn’t, and Rohit Sharma’s return was likely made with that in mind.
2. India were without a captain for the Afghanistan T20Is
Since the last T20 World Cup ended, India has made an effort to put younger players in leadership roles. Since the former’s ankle injury, Suryakumar Yadav has filled in for Hardik Pandya, who has captained the team when healthy.
For the soon-to-happen series with Afghanistan, India lacks seasoned leaders. Neither Hardik nor Suryakumar are available. Adding, both Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja, who were vice-captains in the earlier series, are not selected this time.
Not only in the leadership area but also at the top of the order, Rohit’s replacement hasn’t been too persuasive. In light of this, India may have good reason to want to rely on a captain who successfully guided them to the 2023 World Cup final.
Rohit Sharma has recently shown his strength in white-ball leadership, and it may not be such a bad idea to give him another chance.
3. Rohit Sharma has dominated white-ball cricket in recent times
Rohit Sharma’s T20I stats are not impressive, particularly in the T20 World Cup. His IPL performance is even poorer. Yet, the opening batter presently seems to be a new version never witnessed before.
Rohit Sharma played aggressively against pace and spin throughout the 2023 World Cup, frequently achieving strike rates that would not seem out of place in a T20 match. The 36-year-old clearly revamped his white-ball game from the start, playing his strokes from the outset.
With the powerplay being just six overs and the innings lasting just twenty overs, Rohit won’t have as much time in T20s, but there have been enough signs that his style might be very important in helping him turn around his career in the format. In 50-over cricket, he has been able to combine aggressive purpose with consistency; perhaps he will do the same in T20s.
