Rohit Sharma Bids Farewell to T20I Cricket for India

• Rohit Sharma steps away from T20Is, priortizes Test cricket.
• Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami set to alternate during the England Tests.
• Bumrah will certainly play T20 World Cup if all goes well.

India’s ODI and Test skipper, Rohit Sharma, has decided to step away from T20Is, according to a report in Press Trust of India (PTI). The decision was taken after discussions with the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar before the commencement of the 50-over World Cup.

Sharma has not featured in any T20 fixture since India’s exit in the T20 World Cup semi-finals in November 2022. Hardik Pandya has predominantly led India in T20Is since then.

The 36-year-old captain has amassed 3853 runs in 148 T20Is, boasting an impressive strike-rate of nearly 140, including four centuries.

A senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity that Sharma’s decision to step away from T20Is was “completely his call”. The source added that Sharma is focusing on balancing his workload and prioritising injury prevention to sustain his career.

Sharma is juggling three formats and the IPL annually, which seems unfeasible, especially with seven Tests scheduled from December 2023 to March 2024. The Indian captain’s primary emphasis will likely lean towards red-ball cricket.

He maintains a credible opportunity to guide India to another World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025. Notably, his form in the traditional format has been exceptional since his debut as India’s opener in 2019.

India have four openers since Rohit has not played the shortest format – Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad – and all of them are proven IPL performers.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are set to alternate during the England Tests. Assuming all goes as planned, Jasprit Bumrah, India’s main pace bowler, will lead the pace attack.

However, with five Tests lined up against England in as many weeks early next year, the pace trio will be rotated throughout the series.

Following his extended hiatus due to a stress fracture in his lower back, doubts lingered about Bumrah’s readiness for red ball cricket.

“Bumrah is fighting fit and results were there for everyone to see. He is back at his peak fitness and is itching to play the Test matches. With Bumrah and Shami, you need to use them based on what is the priority format at a given time. Bumrah will certainly play T20 World Cup if all goes well,” the BCCI source added.

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