Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma to retire from T20Is, BCCI sources say.
Rohit Sharma, absent from T20 Internationals since India’s November 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final exit, is unlikely to feature in upcoming T20Is despite leading India to the ODI World Cup 2023 final.
Rohit Sharma’s decision reportedly stems from discussions with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, before the 50-over World Cup.
The 36-year-old batsman is rumored to have offered to skip T20 Internationals. He has played 148 T20Is and scored 3853 runs at a strike rate of almost 140. He can now concentrate on maintaining his fitness and having a long career free of injuries, especially with a packed Test schedule ahead of him.
A HARDIK PANDYA IN CHARGE
In the T20I format, Hardik Pandya has led the Indian team most of the time since Rohit took a break from the game.
The choice is in line with a larger plan to develop the squad’s leadership potential and give up-and-coming players important experience.
Since Rohit Sharma made his decision, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad four of the younger generation of openers have come into greater prominence.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has given all four of them the opportunity to establish themselves as strong contenders for the team’s starting lineup.
The BCCI and selectors acknowledge that Rohit may step in if the younger generation fails to deliver consistent performances.
