There was little talk about the inclusion of two seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the T20 team for the Afghanistan series. It was being said that those who did not play in the national T20 team in the last fourteen months, were suddenly brought back and deprived of the youth. On Tuesday, Rohit explained to Chinnaswamy that it was not a mistake to bring them back, but there is still no alternative to Virat-Rohit in the Indian team. Rohit showed that he is needed in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He is still very important for India in the T20 format and at the same time Rohit completed his 5th T20I century in India vs Afghanistan in the third T20I.
Rohit scored an unbeaten 121 off just 69 balls. Hit 8 sixes with 11 boundaries. He batted at a strike rate of 175. And in what condition? Not when India were 22-4. Indian batsmen were finding it difficult to time Chinnaswamy’s ‘double paced’ pitch. Let’s say one thing, a champion team is not only made up of seniors or juniors. The right mix of the two is needed. Think how long Mahendra Singh Dhoni played to set only Virat-Rohit at the end of his career. Dhani could not run then. But still played and got away with making them. Same should be the case with Rohit or Virat. As long as they want to play, let them play. Because Rohit played today, Rinku Singh could stand on the opposite side and see, what should be done if the team is under pressure? How should the innings be drawn?
Rinku must also speak. Rinku remained unbeaten with 69 off 39 balls. Many say, IPL has made Rinku such a good cricketer. No. IPL will only give you exposure. But will not bring up. Indian domestic cricket made Rinku Singh. His batting average in Ranji Trophy is 60. 53 in one day. Rinku was successful. Moreover, he is always hungry for success. And Rohit? All the strokes played today, like burning the eyes. In his own day, there is no better batter in the world than him. Whose fifth century in T20 became this day.
India went from 22-4 to 212-4 in 20 overs with Rohit-Rinku’s onslaught. Afghanistan scored the same run in reply, for 6 wickets. Then not once, but twice the dramatic situation of super over was created. Mukesh Kumar was beaten a bit in the first time but Rohit-Jassaswi almost managed the situation. And Ravi Vishnai turned the match with the ball even though the batting did not click in the second chance. That’s why India became the first team in the world to beat the opponent 9 times in the T20 series. Be that as it may, one thing can be said right now that Rohit Sharma will lead India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. No one is Hardik Pandya.
Rohit Sharma himself has started taking the upcoming T20 World Cup quite seriously now. After winning the series, Rohit’s message is that he will take a tough decision during the World Cup team selection.