World Cup T20: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for T20 World Cup- Past Vs Present

It is a big task for all the team management to form a finely selected squad for the mega event. Along with all other nations, it is also a big challenge for team India to create a well-balanced squad as the team is studded with plenty of match winners. A big concern for the BCCI is the current form of the two prime players- Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma! The two pillars of Indian cricket are struggling with their bat and have been inconsistent for a long time. 

Past achievements and current form

The two superstars were expected to make a comeback with the fifteenth edition of the Indian Premier League this year. However, they disappointed everyone as they failed to make much out of the league this season. Their batting has been below expectations raising questions about their abilities before the World Cup. India's former skipper and RCB's prime asset, Virat Kohli, scored 341 runs in 16 matches in the current IPL season. Though these runs are pretty considerable, these are his least total runs in the past five seasons. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians and India's newly assigned captain Rohit Sharma have managed to score just 268 runs with a poor average of 19.14 in the 14 matches he played. Their terrible performance in the league has now created numerous doubts about their performance in the upcoming World Cup. 

Although the two are not in their full flow, their reputation and contribution to the Indian team don't allow anyone to neglect them from the team. The two have played a key role in taking Indian cricket to the next level. Whether it be Virat Kohli, who led team India to various pinnacles of glory or Rohit Sharma, who always rescued the team with his explosive batting, both have been essential assets for the men in blue. It will be of great interest to see whether the selectors keep their reputation in mind or if the players' current form creates a hurdle in their selection. Considering all the possibilities, their involvement in World Cup eleven seems quite apparent. 

World Cup 2022: Expectations from the two superstars

However, looking at their records and career, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are two of the finest cricketers in Indian cricket perhaps the world has witnessed. Their brilliance and class make them perfect for such mega-events. Virat Kohli is the only player from the 2011 World Cup-winning squad in the playing eleven, while Rohit Sharma is the one who has scored five centuries in the 2019 World Cup. Looking at their stats, the two players have more experience in ICC tournaments than any other player. Although the two are not in good form, their experience will give the men in blue a perfect core to handle any critical situation during the World Cup. However, a big concern remains whether the two will justify their reputation and position in the squad. Their dismal form has been a drawback for the two for an extended period. We haven't witnessed any big knocks from the two for a long time. But we should not forget their capabilities and ability to bounce back from the lows. In T20I cricket, Virat Kohli has scored 3296 runs in 97 innings at an impressive average of 52, which defines his proficiency in the short format, which can turn into India's key asset if the batter regains his form. On the other hand, Rohit also holds 3313 runs in 125 innings at an average of 32, which and the stats are enough to describe his experience in T20 cricket. 

Ups and downs are a journey phase, and everyone faces the lows in their path. The two cricketers are also going through a rough career phase, especially Virat Kohli. Despite this, management cannot ignore the potential they hold. Every cricket fan will be visualising these two bouncing back, justifying all the hopes and their reputation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, making a lightning comeback. 

However, the World Cup will not be an easy task for the men in blue. The last time India won the T20 World Cup was in 2007 under MS Dhoni; after that, the team didn't manage to get to the title. It will be pretty exciting to witness how the Blue army performs with a bunch of talented youngsters and the new captain, and a special eye will be on the performances of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma!