Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to be dropped from the Indian team after T20 World Cup 2024, Gautam Gambhir sets the condition

Post-T20 World Cup 2024 Shake-up: Gambhir’s Criteria May Sideline Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Indian Squad

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: 2024-06-24 07:28:29

Summary: Whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play T20Is after the current T20 World Cup in 2024 is still being discussed, especially after Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach.

Gautam Gambhir is a strong candidate to take over as the Indian men's cricket team's next head coach. According to several sources, Gambhir was the only one to apply for the position since current head coach Rahul Dravid's contract is scheduled to expire following the current T20 World Cup. During an interview last week, Gambhir discussed some of his demands with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not commented officially. However, according to a PTI report, Rohit and Virat would focus solely on ODIs and tests, with nine WTC tests scheduled from September 2024 to January 2025. Jasprit Bumrah, India's ace pacer, would be left out of the T20I squad to focus on red-ball cricket.

But according to the Navbharat Times, Gambhir stated not one, not two, but five requirements to approve BCCI's proposal during his interview with the CAC. Gambhir insisted that he be in complete control of the team's cricket activities, free from board intervention.

Second, the two-time World Cup champion will choose his staff for bowling, batting, and fielding.

Thirdly, and most importantly, for four seniors (Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami), the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan may be their final chance.

These players would be removed from the squad if they were unable to assist India in winning the tournament. But nothing about the players being eliminated from the three formats was mentioned.

In terms of the fourth condition, Test cricket will have a different team. Finally, Gambhir will begin creating a schedule for the 2027 ODI World Cup right away.

The four senior players—Virat, Rohit, Jadeja, and Shami—will undoubtedly be cut from the squad if they do poorly in the 2025 Champions Trophy, but it's unclear if they'll still play red-ball cricket.

It won't come as a huge surprise if the two seasoned players are passed over for selection, given Rohit and Kohli's futures have already been doubtful and Gambhir's name has been connected to the India head coach position.