Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the most prolific batsmen in the world of cricket. They have dominated the ODI and Test formats with their consistent and explosive performances. But what about the shortest and most thrilling format of the game – T20 cricket?
Both Kohli and Sharma have not played T20 Internationals for India since the 2022 World Cup, where they lost to England in the semi-final. However, according to recent reports, they are keen to play the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in June-July 2024 in the Caribbean and United States.
This is good news for Indian cricket fans, who would love to see the dynamic duo back in action in the T20 format. Kohli and Sharma have been the backbone of India’s batting line-up for a long time, and their records in T20 cricket are impressive.
Kohli is the leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals, with 3,159 runs in 90 matches at an average of 52.65 and a strike rate of 139.04. He has 28 fifties and one hundred to his name, and is known for his ability to chase down any target with ease and elegance.
Sharma is the second-highest run-scorer in T20 Internationals, with 2,864 runs in 111 matches at an average of 32.36 and a strike rate of 138.79. He has 22 fifties and four hundreds to his name, and is known for his ability to hit big sixes and score fast and furious runs.
Together, Kohli and Sharma have formed a formidable partnership in T20 cricket, scoring 1,279 runs in 40 innings at an average of 35.52 and a strike rate of 136.66. They have nine fifty-plus stands and one hundred-plus stand, and have complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
However, Kohli and Sharma have also faced some challenges and controversies in their T20 careers. Kohli stepped down as the captain of India’s T20 team after the 2022 World Cup, citing workload management and personal reasons. He also gave up the captaincy of his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, after a disappointing season.
Sharma, on the other hand, took over the captaincy of India’s T20 team, as well as the Test and ODI teams, after the retirement of MS Dhoni. He also led his IPL team, Mumbai Indians, to five titles, making them the most successful franchise in the history of the tournament.
There have been rumours of a rift between Kohli and Sharma, especially after the former’s decision to quit the T20 captaincy. Some reports suggested that Kohli was unhappy with Sharma’s appointment as the new skipper, and that there was a lack of communication and trust between them.
However, both Kohli and Sharma have denied any such issues, and have maintained that they share a cordial and respectful relationship. They have also expressed their mutual admiration and support for each other, and have vowed to work together for the betterment of Indian cricket.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, the fans and the selectors will be eager to see Kohli and Sharma back in the T20 squad. The BCCI is likely to announce the team for the upcoming T20 series against Afghanistan today, and it is expected that both Kohli and Sharma will make themselves available for selection.
If they do, it will be a great opportunity for them to regain their form and confidence in the T20 format, and to prepare for the bigger challenge of the World Cup. It will also be a chance for them to showcase their skills and chemistry as a batting pair, and to silence their critics and doubters.
Kohli and Sharma are undoubtedly two of the best batsmen in the world, and their presence in the T20 team will boost India’s chances of winning the coveted trophy. They have the experience, the talent, and the hunger to succeed in the shortest format of the game, and they have proven it time and again.
The question is, can they do it again in 2024? Can they lead India to glory in the T20 World Cup? Can they cement their legacy as the dynamic duo of T20 cricket?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the fans are waiting with bated breath to see them in action. And so are we.
