'Pick Your Team Based on Form Close to World Cup': Manjrekar's Take on Kohli-Rohit Potential Return in T20I Set-up

After missing out on the ODI World Cup trophy, the Indian cricket team’s focus has been shifted to the shortest format of the game as the T20 World Cup will take place in June next year. The preparations have begun but the one big question is still unanswered – whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still part of the T20I scheme of things or not.

The two senior batters have not played a T20I since last year’s T20 World Cup where India suffered an exit in the semifinal after a 10-wicket defeat against Australia.

Hardik Pandya took over the captaincy charge in Rohit’s absence but his recent struggles with injury have once again put the swashbuckling opener back in the picture.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar gave his take on whether the duo can return to the T20I set-up once again for the mega ICC event next year.

“Who knows what’s in store in life? I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I believe the approach should be extremely simple. We have played a lot of World Cups and haven’t been able to win them,” said Manjrekar on Star Sports.

Manjrekar also talked about India missing out on the ICC trophies despite playing dominant cricket in the league stage in recent times.

“We are maybe playing slightly different cricket in the final stages of World Cups. When something goes out of your hand, simplify it. Pick your team based on form close to the World Cup,” said Manjrekar on Star Sports.

Kohli (4008) and Rohit (3853) are the top two run-getters in the shortest format of the game and they were also in incredible form in the recently concluded ODI World Cup.

Meanwhile, a lot will depend on Rohit and Kohli’s forms in the upcoming season of IPL to get back into the T20I set-up.

Manjrekar feels that Kohli has to prove that he is a better option than the young batters who are currently part of the T20I set-up, while he suggested that Rohit will be up against Hardik.

“Virat Kohli will have to show that he is a better option than the youngsters who are playing currently, and Rohit Sharma as T20 batter and captain vs Hardik Pandya, the T20 batter, all-rounder and captain,” said Manjrekar.