Former India speedster Irfan Pathan wants to see India captain Rohit Sharma and star India batter Virat Kohli to be in India’s squad for next year’s T20 World Cup as well. However, Rohit and Kohli have been given a break from the white-ball series of India’s upcoming multi-format series against South Africa. Meanwhile, there’s no clarity on their availability for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 as well.

During a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Pathan said: “I personally would like to see them. The reason for that is where we are playing the World Cup. The World Cup is in the West Indies, and those pitches have changed.”Obviously, it’s an ICC event, the pitches will be better. That’s what we hope as far as the batting conditions are concerned.”

“However, if you look at the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and local cricket there as well, the batters need to work really hard. This is where the experience comes in. We played really well in the 50-over World Cup, except for one game, so you don’t want to change too many things,” he further added.

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Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has hit 381 runs at an average of 47.62 and a strike rate of 149.41 in 11 T20I innings in the West Indies and USA as well. On the other hand, Virat Kohli scored 175 runs in six innings at an average of 29.17 and a strike rate of 125.00 as well. But, Irfan Pathan also said that Rohit Sharma led from the front in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as well. Rohit has scored 1527 runs which came at an average of 32.48 and a strike rate of 147.39 in 51 T20Is as India captain. He also captained India to the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup before they were eliminated after a defeat to England as well.

“A lot of people are talking about the need for a fresh approach in T20 cricket, but I think guys like Rohit Sharma, the way he is going at the moment, he has been the real leader of Indian cricket. The way he has changed the approach, taken the responsibility on his shoulders and taken the team forward, he has actually changed the mindset. That is why I really hope that Rohit Sharma continues as the leader, and at the same time, you can always use guys like Virat Kohli and his experience,” Irfan Pathan concluded.