Former England captain Kevin Pietersen feels Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s place in the T20 World Cup next year may be contingent on how well they do in the IPL 2024.
Kohli and Rohit have just returned from a spectacular ODI World Cup. During India’s final run, they finished as the tournament’s top two run scorers. While Kohli scored 765 runs, Rohit scored 597 runs at a frightening strike rate of over 125.
Still, Kohli and Rohit haven’t played for India’s T20 team since the letdown of the World Cup semi-final defeat by England last year.
Chatting with IANS during the Legends League Cricket (LLC), Kevin Pietersen believed Rohit and Kohli deserve to choose whether to play in the T20 World Cup.
“They ( Kohli and Rohit) have every chance, would have to see how they go in IPL, check them in the IPL,” Pietersen said. “Because they have been so incredible servants to Indian cricket, you have to give them the respect and you have to ask them that according to form whether they fancy their chances or not. They are fabulous cricketers.”
Kevin Pietersen
At ages 35 and 36, respectively, there’s been a ton of talk about Kohli and Rohit, speculating if they’ll play in the next T20 World Cup. This chatter is especially intense among sports buffs and fans.
Since the last World Cup, Hardik Pandya has headed the Indian T20 team. They are presently playing Australia in a five-match series, led by Suryakumar Yadav in Hardik’s absence due to injury.
“IPL form is going to go a long way” – Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen intimated that the IPL and T20 World Cups next year may be the last for a few Indian stars. He said that, with the World Cup commencing directly after the IPL, the latter’s form may be crucial.
The ten franchises have recently concluded their retentions and releases and will attempt to reinforce their squads during the December 19 mini-auction in Dubai.
“IPL form is going to go a long way, because the final of the IPL and T20 World Cup 2024 wouldn’t have much gap in between,” Pietersen continued. “Might be a swansong for couple of them. Let’s wait and see, those kind of players who have dedicated their life to playing for India deserve the respect too.”
Rohit Sharma will attempt to add to his six IPL titles (five as MI captain), while Virat Kohli will try to break the curse and win his first crown.
The two will play for their respective long-time teams, the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers (RCB).