As long as there is open communication between the management and selectors, veteran players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli can leave the Indian T20 team, according to Gautam Gambhir. Beginning on January 3, India will play Sri Lanka in three 20-over matches.
For the time being, all indications point to Kohli and Rahul having been rested for that series, while Rohit is thought to still be recovering from a finger injury he suffered three weeks ago in Bangladesh. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a veteran fast bowler, is also out of favour.
With so many players out, Suryakumar Yadav has been chosen India’s temporary T20 captain, replacing Hardik Pandya, who was largely expected to take the position in the first place. In a Thursday conversation organised by Star Sports, Gambhir said, “There should be clarity.
“The selectors and these players should communicate well. So be it if the selectors have chosen to look beyond these individuals. I believe many nations have already done it. “We raise too much of a fuss when management and selectors pass on particular people.
In the end, what matters is how you want to approach your preparations for the following [T20] World Cup [in 2024], because you want to enter that tournament and win it. If these individuals weren’t able to do it, you just never know, in my opinion.
The next generation, including Suryakumar, has the potential to fulfil that ambition.” Gambhir emphasised the need of having clear plans in place for the 2024 T20 World Cup, but at this time, he is having a difficult time seeing how Rahul and Kohli would fit into those plans.
Personally, if you ask me, it seems difficult, stated Gambhir. “Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav should both be included. I’d want to attempt to include players like Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, and Sanju Samson in the mix because Hardik Pandya is present. They are capable of brave cricket.
“Going into the previous [T20] World Cup, we spoke a lot about playing at a specific template and playing aggressive cricket. However, when it mattered most [the semi-final versus England], all of that talk about the template was abandoned.
“The younger generation of cricketers may be able to follow that model and play the style of T20 cricket that everyone expects India to play. Therefore, I believe that the other players who have been rested or perhaps dropped will find it challenging if these men continue to perform well in the opportunities they receive.”
Gambhir: Pant should just focus on Test cricket
Rishabh Pant, who was not selected for either the T20Is or the ODIs against Sri Lanka, has also raised some concerns. Although no explanation for his absence has been given, it is thought that he needs some time at the National Cricket Academy to be ready for the four-test series against Australia.
Dinesh Karthik was preferred as the starting wicketkeeper by the Indian team management for a significant portion of the lead-up to the most recent T20 World Cup. Pant only participated in two games, including the semifinal, and scored three and six points.