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.
India star batter Virat Kohli will be missing out on the first ODI after he sustained a mild groin strain. He has been replaced by batter Shreyas Iyer in the Playing XI. Speaking at the toss, Rohit said, "We are going to bowl first.
He will also bat in his preferred number three position. India will field a strong playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami set to share the new ball in the series opener against Jos Buttler and co.
Virat Kohli's disappointing run of form continued in the T20I series against England, as he could manage only 12 runs in his two innings.
After taking over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma took the Men in Blue to victory against New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now England. The skipper had to miss out on India's fifth Test against England at Birmingham, as he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Sharma missed the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test against England in Edgbaston after he tested positive during the four-day warm-up game against Leicestershire.
