Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Want To Play T20 World Cup; Crucial BCCI Meeting Soon: Reports

As the T20 World Cup approaches, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is grappling with decisions regarding the squad for the T20 series against Afghanistan. Reports suggest that star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, absent from the T20 format since the World Cup semifinal in November 2022, are eager to make a comeback.

Selectors Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola, currently in South Africa, will join Agarkar during the second Test at Newlands. The trio is expected to consult with head coach Rahul Dravid, Test and ODI skipper Rohit, and batting maestro Kohli before finalizing the squad.

Approximately 30 T20 specialists, including IPL stars, will be closely monitored ahead of the ICC event in the Caribbean and the United States. The selection committee is faced with the challenge of deciding whether to include Rohit and Kohli directly in the short series starting January 11 in Mohali or assess their form and fitness during the IPL.

Both players have expressed their desire to participate in the T20 World Cup. However, with England Tests beginning on January 25 in Hyderabad, even if selected, Rohit and Kohli are unlikely to play beyond a couple of matches.

Concerns arise as Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are not fit, making the Afghanistan series an unreliable indicator. According to a senior BCCI source, decisions will hinge on the first month of the IPL.

Workload management and monitoring the core group during the IPL are crucial for the BCCI. However, franchises cannot be instructed on how to use potential picks for the T20 World Cup. The selection committee aims to identify 25 to 30 players during the IPL, considering the possibility of injuries or fitness issues.