Is this the end of the road for Kohli and Rohit from T20Is?

The Indian squad for the T20I series against West Indies was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday. The two big notable mentions from the newly appointed Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee were Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The star duo last played a T20I match in the T20 World Cup semi-final where England defeated India by 10 wickets. Rohit was the captain of the side during the World Cup. In his absence, Hardik Pandya has been given the duty of leading the side in the shortest format of the game.

Is this the end of the road for Kohli and Rohit from T20Is?

Both Kohli and Rohit have been one of the best players for the Indian team in T20Is. Kohli has played 115 T20Is and scored 4008 runs at an average of 52.73 with a strike rate of 137.96. While Rohit has played close to 150 matches scoring 3853 runs. His average is 31.32 with a strike rate of 139.24.

The duo’s numbers have come under question. Kohli for example has scored 1375 since 2020 in 40 matches at an average of 52.88 at a strike rate of 137.77. While Rohit has scored 1220 runs in 44 matches at an average of 29.75 with a strike rate of 141.53.

The T20 format now demands players to strike at a higher pace. Rohit who has a strike rate of 141.53 since 2020 has an average of just 29.75. While Kohli since 2020 has an average of 52.88 have struggled with his strike rate.

For example, Jos Buttler bats in a similar position for England and has scored 1453 runs since 2020 in 40 matches. His average during this period has been 46.87 while his strike rate has been 149.63.

Who will replace Rohit and Kohli?

The BCCI with the 2024 T20 World Cup in mind has made a conscious decision to pick young players. Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been picked up by the selectors as top-order batters. Kishan gives the team of having an opening batter who can keep the wickets while Gill and Jasiwal had breakthrough IPL seasons. Jaiswal, who received his maiden call-up to the T20I squad scored 625 runs in IPL 2023, the most by any uncapped player. Someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad who received a maiden call-up to the test squad is also in contention for a top-order batting role in the T20 setup.

What does it mean for Rohit and Kohli?

Being not picked in the T20 squad helps both of them focus on the other two formats. India will play hosts later in the year for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup where both Rohit and Kohli will want to win an ICC trophy after a wait of 10+ years.

India’s T20I squad vs West Indies

Hardik Pandya (C), Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar