'I think guys like Rohit...': Ex-India star's intriguing take on Virat and Rohit's absence from T20I

New Delhi-The Indian Cricket Team is set to face South Africa in an all-format series starting with T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav will be leading Team India on December 10, 2023, after a successful series win against Australia by 4-1. Notable stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have taken a break from white-ball cricket. 

3 things you need to know

• Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in the T20Is against South Africa 
• Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be seen in action during Tests against South Africa 
• India vs South Africa series starts on December 10, 2023 

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Irfan Pathan anticipates Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in the T20 World Cup 

Irfan Pathan expressed a genuine desire to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma compete in the forthcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Both players had outstanding performances in the previous World Cup, which was held in 2023, with Kohli scoring 765 runs and Sharma contributing considerably with 597 runs.

With the T20 World Cup set to begin in 2024, the cricketing world is abuzz with conjecture over Kohli and Sharma's prospective participation. Despite their absence from the shortest format since the T20 World Cup in 2022, concerns concerning their inclusion continue to dominate cricketing conversations, making it a significant and contentious topic.

Pathan told Star Sports that his eagerness to see Kohli and Rohit in action in the T20 World Cup is motivated by the fact that the tournament is being held in the West Indies. He believes that the duo's seasoned experience will be helpful in the event, implying that their proficiency and familiarity with the conditions will benefit the team. He said: 

"I personally would like to see them. The reason for that is where we are playing the World Cup. The World Cup is in the West Indies, and those pitches have changed.

“Obviously, it's an ICC event, the pitches will be better. That's what we hope as far as the batting conditions are concerned.”

"However, if you look at the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and local cricket there as well, the batters need to work really hard. This is where the experience comes in.

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In addition, Pathan praised Rohit as the true captain of Indian cricket, expressing his hope that the opener will stay in charge of the side. He added: 

“A lot of people are talking about the need for a fresh approach in T20 cricket, but I think guys like Rohit Sharma, the way he is going at the moment, he has been the real leader of Indian cricket.”

“The way he has changed the approach, taken the responsibility on his shoulders and taken the team forward, he has actually changed the mindset.”

"That is why I really hope that Rohit Sharma continues as the leader, and at the same time, you can always use guys like Virat Kohli and his experience.