Gautam Gambhir explains selection criteria for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup 2024
Gautam Gambhir also backed Rohit Sharma to lead India in the T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies.
New Delhi: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s place in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad should be purely based on the form that both batters are in at the time and not on age, opined two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir. There have been a lot of discussions about the inclusion of Rohit and Virat in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad after both batters stayed away from the format since the World Cup in Australia last year.
India’s preparations for the mega event next year have started with the home match against Australia, which they won 4-1. The Men in Blue are currently in South Africa for a three-match T20I series. However, in both the series, Rohit and Virat chose to stay away from the game to have some family time.
Gambhir also highlighted the experience that both players bring to the table. “Look, it all depends on the shape. Ultimately it’s all about the form. The good thing is that it happens after the IPL. 100 percent. They should be part of the World Cup if they are in good form,” Gambhir told ANI.
“For me, form is important. For a T20 World Cup you want to bring players who are in really good form. If Rohit and Virat are in good form, they should definitely be picked for the World Cup,” said the former India opener.
After the South Africa T20Is, India will host Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in January. Gambhir also backed Rohit to remain India’s captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, highlighting his leadership qualities during the recently concluded ODI World Cup.
“Rohit has done a very, very good job. It is not easy to win five IPL trophies. And then the way India dominated in the last 50-over World Cup… One bad match doesn’t make Rohit Sharma or this team a bad team and the way they dominated…,” he added.
“I can still understand that when you win tight matches, the way they played… it’s not fair to say Rohit is a bad captain after just one bad match,” Gambhir added. “I think if Rohit Sharma is in good form, he should be in charge in the T20 World Cup.
“Anyone who is not in good form should not be picked for the T20 World Cup, no matter how simple it is. Captaincy is a responsibility. First you are selected as a player and then you are made captain. Captain is someone who should have a permanent position in the XI and that depends on form,” he said.
India have six T20I internationals (three against South Africa and Afghanistan) before the World Cup. Moreover, the players will also get a grueling two-month Indian Premier League, which will be crucial for the players to book their tickets to the US and West Indies.