After the conclusion of the ongoing series against the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lankan team, the Men in Blue will take on New Zealand for a three-match T20I and ODI series set to get underway on January 18, Wednesday. The squad for the same was announced on Friday and much to the surprise of the Indian fans, Prithvi Shaw, the right-handed batter, earned his call-up after a wait of 18 months.
However, on the other hand, the selection committee cemented a strong statement by excluding Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the squad, indirectly hinting at moving on from the veterans. Hardik Pandya, the fiery allrounder, is all set to continue his stint as the captain of the T20I team, with Suryakumar Yadav being his deputy.
KL Rahul, the wicketkeeper, was left out of the squad due to personal commitments and it remains to be seen if he would be brought back into the setup, given that he is yet to work on his strike rate. Jitesh Sharma, on the other hand, was retained in the squad and one has to agree that the player deserves the spot and rightfully so.
Are team India selectors moving on from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
The selection committee is yet to clarify the exclusion of the veterans from the squad but it is understood that they might be moving on from the players, roping in youngsters keeping the 20-20 World Cup which will take place in two years’ time. The likes of Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shubman Gill will continue their stint in the format.
Gill, who is an active part of the Test and ODI squad, was roped in for the T20I series against Sri Lanka for the first time and retained the spot for the series against Kiwis as well. It might be that the selectors are looking at him as an all-format player, given his impressive batting technique and ability.
Here is India’s squad for the T20I series vs New Zealand: Hardik Pandya (C), Suryakumar Yadav (vc), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Prithvi Shaw, Mukesh Kumar
Here is how fans have reacted to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s exclusion from the T20I squad for the series vs New Zealand:
No batter will ever be a match to the IPL 2016 version of Virat Kohli.
— Akash S Wallepure (???? ?????????) (@akash_wallepure) January 14, 2023
Indian team will never get player like Virat kohli again.
— Faiz Fazel (@ThatCrick8Guy) January 14, 2023
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dropped from T20I squad against New Zealand. Hardik Pandya to stay captain. Seems BCCI have actually MOVED ON.
— Faiz Fazel (@theFaizFazel) January 14, 2023
@BCCI
NZ T20 squad me
Rohit, Virat Kohli, kl Rahul or jaddu ko chunna chaiye tha
Kyo ye sabhi playar fite nahi hai kya— ???????? ???? ???? (@Soldier_gd) January 14, 2023
@BCCI Virat Kohli is not included in the t20I team even after winning us big matches recently and being the highest run scorer in both Asia Cup & T20wc?!
Why are u dragging him along with other out of form players? He deserves better fgs!— Kavya? (@Itsmekavyaa) January 14, 2023
@BCCI @JayShah Tell why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were not selected in T20i ?@BCCI #TeamIndia #INDvsNZ #ViratKohli?
— Kamlesh Prajapati (@prajapa59170467) January 14, 2023
Also Read: Top 5 most memorable IND vs NZ encounters in T20Is
