Generation Next: Top Six Contenders To Replace Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s T20I Squad
An attacking opener who is strikingly similar to Virat in terms of strokeplay, he could carry forward the legend's legacy in the shortest format. Though he has scored just 335 runs in 14 T20Is with a century and fifty, his T20 resume is much more illustrious with 4,228 runs in 138 matches at a strike rate of over 137, with six centuries and 24 fifties.
Star India batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20Is on a high with the T20 World Cup title in their hands. Let us look into players who can replace the illustrious duo on top. Virat Kohli Retires from T20Is: Take A Look at Virat Kohli’s Top Five Knocks in Shorter Format of Cricket.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
An Asian Games gold-winning Indian skipper, blessed with class strokeplay and ability to play the aggressor or anchor as per situation, Gaikwad is one of those choices who seem no brainer. In 19 T20Is and 17 innings, he has scored 500 runs at an average of 35.71 and a strike rate of 140.05, with a century and three half-centuries. His best score is 123*.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
A classy Test batter with talent to score big runs, Jaiswal turns into a flashy, highly attacking T20 pro once he puts the coloured clothing on. Already having impressed in India and Rajasthan Royals colours, he is one of the players that can replace Rohit. In 17 T20Is, he has scored 502 runs in 16 innings at an average of 33.46 and a strike rate of 161.93, with a century and four half-centuries to his name. His best score is 100.
Abhishek Sharma
The Punjab batter had a breakthrough IPL 2024 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he pretty much turned into a six-hitting machine, getting 484 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of over 204, with 42 sixes. Besides his 2,671 runs in 104 T20s at a strike rate of over 153 and three centuries, he is also a useful spinner and can carry forward Rohit's motto of 'Hit, Hit and Hit'.
Shubman Gill
An attacking opener who is strikingly similar to Virat in terms of strokeplay, he could carry forward the legend's legacy in the shortest format. Though he has scored just 335 runs in 14 T20Is with a century and fifty, his T20 resume is much more illustrious with 4,228 runs in 138 matches at a strike rate of over 137, with six centuries and 24 fifties.
Sai Sudarshan
Another player who has so far seemed to follow Virat's school of T20I batting, i.e, playing aggressive, positive but low-risk cricket and having ability to anchor. The IPL 2024 edition with Gujarat Titans was a breakthrough one for the left-hander as he scored 527 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of over 141, with a century and two fifties. Hardik Pandya Rises to the Top of ICC Men’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings After Majestic T20 World Cup 2024 Performance.
Ishan Kishan
Having healthy international experience, this young left-hander could fill Rohit's shoes with his attacking strokes as a powerplay basher. Though his statistics look underwhelming for his calibre with 796 runs in 32 games at a strike rate of just over 124 with six fifties, the 25-year-old has age by his side to develop further into a brilliant player.