Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after India won the T20I World Cup. They bid adieu to the shortest format of cricket, however they will play in ODI Cricket and Test Cricket for India. They were the Top 2 run getters in T20Is in history. Rohit Sharma has made 4231 runs and Virat Kohli has made 4188 runs in T20Is. It is time for the next generation to take their place and prepare for the 2026 T20I World Cup which will be played In India and Sri Lanka.
Let’s look at the Players to replace Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20Is for India
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was not In the 15 that featured in the World Champion Indian team for the 2024 World Cup. However after the World Cup, India will go on a tour to Zimbabwe. He has been named the captain of the team. Shubman Gill is an opener and he can fill the role left by the two greatest. He has played 14 T20Is for India and has made 335 runs. However he has played in 103 IPL Matches and he has scored 3216 runs at a strike rate of 135.70. He has hit 4 hundreds in the IPL.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the back-up opener for India at the T20I World Cup. He was not needed as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did the job perfectly. However after their retirements, Yashasvi Jaiswal will come into the team. He will be the aggressive left handed opening batter that India will need. He has played 17 T20Is for India. He has made 502 runs and he has already scored a brilliant 100. He has also played in 53 IPL Matches and he has made 1607 runs with 2 hundreds. He has a strike rate of 161.94 in T20I Cricket.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad is the 3rd player who can replace these two stalwarts of Indian cricket in T20I Cricket. He has been knocking on the door and his opportunities will finally come now that there are slots open. He has played 19 T20Is for India and he has scored 500 runs with a highest score of 123 not out. He has also been in 66 IPL Matches for CSK and he has made 2380 runs with 2 IPL hundreds. He has a strike rate of 140.06 in T20Is. Ruturaj Gaekwad will look to cement his place in the Indian team.
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is having a difficult time for the past few months but that does not mean that the times will not change. Ishan Kishan will come back into the Indian team. He is far too good a player to not be in contention. He has played 32 T20Is for India and he has scored 796 runs at a strike rate of 124.38. Ishan Kishan has played 105 IPL Matches and he has made 2644 Runs. He has a strike rate of 135.87 in the IPL. He is an aggressive left handed batter and a right left hand opening combination will be beneficial.
