The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20Is have created voids in the Indian line-up in the shortest format of the game.
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New Delhi: India created history on Saturday by defeating South Africa to win the T20 World Cup for the second time after a gap of 17 long years. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the guidance of head coach Rahul Dravid, India ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought in Barbados. The last time India won an ICC trophy was in 2013 when the Men in Blue beat England to win the Champions Trophy. India’s first T20 World Cup came in 2007 under MS Dhoni. However, amid celebrations, Virat Kohli and Rohit announced their retirements from the game’s shortest format, thus ending an era.
Kohli has been a pillar for India in the shortest format although he could manage just one three-figure score. He bowed out with 4188 runs from 125 games and rank second in the list of highest run-getters in the world. On the other hand, Rohit tops the list with 4231 runs including five hundreds – joint-most alongside Australia’s Glenn Maxwell. Jadeja bid adieu with 515 runs and 54 wickets.
Players Who Can Replace Virat Kohli In T20Is
Shubman Gill: The right-hander is being touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Although he doesn’t boast much statistics as compared to his records in Tests and ODIs, Gill’s talent and potential make him as one of the best choices to replace Kohli in the Indian T20I side. Notably, Gill started his international career as an opener but dropped down to No.3 – the same position that Kohli used to bat. In IPL, Gill has so far scored 3216 in 103 matches.
Sai Sudarshan: One of rising stars in Indian cricket Sai Sudharsan is another potential candidate to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian T20I batting line-up. The southpaw has shown what he is capable off in the Indian Premier League for Gujarat Titans and also for his state, Tamil Nadu, in the domestic T20 competitions. Sudharshan was one of the top 10 run-getters in IPL 2024 with 527 runs.
Players Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma In T20Is
Abhishek Sharma: Mentored by Yuvraj Singh, Punjab lad Abhishek Sharma is one of the potential candidates to replace Rohit Sharma in the T20I side. The 23-year-old had got his maiden India call-up in the T20I series against Zimbabwe and is being rewarded for his pyrotechnics with the bat for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the top of the order. As an opener, Abhishek is a gifted hitter who can play wide range of shots, enough to terrify the opposition bowlers on occasion.
Ruturaj Gaikward: In and out of the Indian side since 2021, time has come for Ruturaj Gaikward to stake a claim for his position in the Indian playing XI. One of the consistent performers in the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings, Gaikwad can be targeted as Rohit’s successor for a long term. In fact, playing as an opener against Australia in the T20I series at home, Ruturaj scored 223 runs in five matches, including an unbeaten hundred.