India’s Big Conundrum at the Top: Who Replaces Rohit and Kohli in T20

India’s Big Conundrum at the Top: Who Replaces Rohit and Kohli in T20Is?

The departures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20I format soon after India’s win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 leave a big void at the top.

After years of service to the Indian side, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from the T20I format following the victory in the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup. Rohit (4231 runs) ends his career as the highest run-getter in T20Is, with Kohli (4188 runs) in second place.

Given their immense contribution to Indian cricket in the format, finding their replacements won't be easy. However, India must identify new players soon, as the next edition of the tournament is only two years away.

Potential Candidates to Replace the Iconic Duo

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Matches: 17
Runs: 502
Average: 33.46
Strike-rate: 161.93
Highest Score: 100

The dynamic southpaw opener was an understudy to Rohit and Kohli in India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad. In less than a year since his international debut, Jaiswal has firmly established himself as a reputable opener.

Jaiswal provides solidity at the top while also scoring runs at a brisk pace. A heavy run-scorer, he has succeeded in various conditions, from West Indies to South Africa. His inclusion would also ensure a left-right combination at the top.

Shubman Gill

Matches: 14
Runs: 335
Average: 25.76
Strike-rate: 147.57
Highest Score: 126*

The classy right-handed batter has been a regular in the Indian white-ball setup over the last few years and was Rohit’s opening partner in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

A safe option at the top, Gill stands out for his propensity to find gaps along the ground early in his innings and has a solid backfoot play at his disposal. Though the batter couldn’t find a place in India’s squad for this edition of the Men’s T20 World Cup, he leads the side in their upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.

In the five T20Is, he can showcase his skills as the skipper and also with the bat, to lay a strong claim at the vacant top-order spot.

Abhishek Sharma

Yet to play international cricket

A member of the U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2018, Abhishek Sharma was always renowned for his attacking strokeplay. However, it was in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that the left-handed batter truly stood out.

Partnering with Australia’s Travis Head, Abhishek provided explosive starts for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He scored 484 runs from his 16 appearances at a whopping strike rate of 204.21.

In recent years, India have found themselves on the back foot in decent batting conditions, wherein their scoring rates have often not matched up against the likes of England or Australia. Abhishek’s all-out attacking play can resolve their batting approach, with his slow left-arm spin an added bonus.

KL Rahul

Matches: 72
Runs: 2265
Average: 37.75
Strike-rate: 139.12
Highest Score: 110*

KL Rahul might have dropped off the selector’s radars since the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup but the 32-year-old is the most experienced top-order batter in the Indian circuits after the departure of Rohit and Kohli.

With a vast array of strokes at his disposal, Rahul is a top-notch option with the bat. There is little stopping Rahul when he gets going and is also an added option behind the stumps.

The player is also a performer on big occasions, as he showed during his run in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, where he scored 452 runs at an average of 75.33.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Matches: 19
Runs: 500
Average: 35.71
Strike-rate: 140.05
Highest Score: 123*

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s name might get lost in the sea of openers available in the international and IPL circuit for India, but the right-handed batter has been in and around the squad over the last couple of years.

A watchful starter, Gaikwad can pick up his scoring rate prodigiously once he gets his eye in.

Like some others on this list, Gaikwad has an opportunity to seal a regular spot during India’s tour of Zimbabwe.

Ishan Kishan

Matches: 32
Runs: 796
Average: 25.67
Strike-rate: 124.37
Highest Score: 89

Going with Ishan Kishan can help the side keep the left-right combination going.

With explosive shots at his disposal, Kishan can provide a quickfire start while his keeping is a bonus. Not a part of the Indian squad at present, Kishan is still a quality option with plenty of international experience.

If his performances catch the selectors’ eyes, Kishan will be an invaluable addition to the setup.

Conclusion

The retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has indeed created a significant conundrum for Indian cricket. Their experience, leadership, and match-winning abilities have been pivotal to the team's success. However, the future holds promise with the emerging talents. It will be interesting to see how the team management and selectors navigate this transition, aiming to build a formidable squad for the upcoming challenges.

India’s legacy in T20Is will now depend on how well these new players can fill the shoes of two of the greatest cricketers the format has ever seen. The journey to find the next top-order stalwarts begins now.

Reference

• India’s big conundrum at the top: Who replaces Rohit and Kohli in T20Is?
• Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Retirement: New but Uncertain Future Awaits Indian Cricket Team
• ‘I let myself down’: Emotional Virat Kohli reveals honest chat with Rahul Dravid over poor scores in 2024 T20 World Cup
• Virat Kohli in Tears as Anushka Sharma Shares Vamika's Concern After T20 World Cup Victory

Check out the above links for more details