India’s ODI and Test skipper Rohit Sharma, who led the team to their second ICC T20 World Cup title last June, has been named captain of the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year 2024. The team dominated by Indians also features star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane backed long-time teammate Rohit Sharma’s “hunger for runs” as the current India Test and ODI captain prepares for a return to domestic cricket after low returns in his last eight Tests this season.
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said he has a strong belief in Rohit Sharma having the autonomy to decide when he retires from international cricket, though he thinks the selectors could also have a say in it.
In 2023-24, the BCCI had stripped Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer of their annual contracts after the duo did not turn up for their respective state sides despite not being on national duty. While the move set a precedent for many, it may not be the same in the case of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli — with both the veterans battling a prolonged lean patch in red-ball cricket.
Refuting speculations of retirement from the longest format, India skipper Rohit Sharma on Saturday cleared the air following his non-selection for the ongoing fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Sydney.
The former South African stumper said it was “purely a cricketing decision” and the move was viewed as a transition phase for the five-time IPL champions, with all titles won under the leadership of Rohit.
In the absence of Rohit and Virat, India underwent a successful transition with the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma justifying their selection over the course of the 16 T20Is that India played after the last IPL season.
Several frontline players, including Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have not been picked.
During India’s ongoing tour of South Africa in 2023-24, neither of two Test matches lasted the entirety, but despite that there have been no words against the curator.
“Such an important player for SA, Very, very gritty and his wicket - we spoke about how we want to get him out quickly. We appreciate what he has done for South Africa. Brilliant career - best wishes ahead,” Rohit would say after the game when asked about Elgar.
