'End of T20 journey for both King and Hitman?' - Fans start speculating to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma being ignored again in India's T20I squad

Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)

The Indian cricket team seems to have passed the baton from the senior players to the youngsters in the shortest format of the game. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have once again been snubbed in the T20Is, with their names missing from the 15-man squad that will face West Indies in August. This will be India's fourth consecutive T20 series without Kohli and Rohit after the 2022 T20 World Cup.

However, both of them, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, are said to have been rested for the five-match T20I series against Windies. They will play Tests and ODIs but will prioritise 50-over series as the Asia Cup and World Cup approaches. Even though Kohli and Rohit have not announced their retirement from T20Is, the Indian Cricket Board has been hinting at nurturing young players for the future.

Since the 2022 World Cup, Team India has played two T20I series against New Zealand and one against Sri Lanka, with neither right-hander featuring. Notably, Suryakumar Yadav, India's vice-captain for the West Indies tour, is the only player above the age of 30 in the squad. In Rohit's absence, Hardik Pandya will lead the Men in Blue for the 20-over series starting on August 3.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma earn maiden call-ups, Rinku Singh ignored

Meanwhile, youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma earned maiden call-ups to the Indian T20I side after their impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Rinku Singh have failed to secure a berth in the squad despite his outstanding display in the cash-rich league. Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan are all set to return in the blue jersey.

India’s T20I squad for the West Indies series: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Surya Kumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar.

Here's how fans reacted to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma being left out of the T20I squad: 

Kohli will be back after the ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma is dropped

— Ash💀 (@Ash_RMCF) July 6, 2023

Seems like Hardik is clear that the young lads with no burden of expectation is what it takes 😊

— ANIL KUMAR N R (@anil0520) July 5, 2023

First thing is virat want to play t20 cricket.He questioned the selectors after scoring century against gt in ipl.He will prove again in nxt yr IPL and he will come back for t20wc.

— shiva kumar (@shivaku44845805) July 5, 2023

Stop watching T20I matches!!!
Till
Rohit Sharma (C) and Virat Kohli back #We_Will_Not_Watch_T20I

— Sainet Chaubey (@SainetChaubey) July 5, 2023

It's might be the end of t20 journey of both king and hitman 👀.

— Lipu 🇮🇳 (@SuvakantaBeher4) July 6, 2023

But no surprise if they figure suddenly in the next squad next year. Hope the selectors aren't that big jokers.

— tweettrombone1 (@tweettrombone1) July 5, 2023

Work load management bro nothing is there to worry

— Dhanrohan Polavarapu (@dhanrohan) July 5, 2023

Bhai let them focus on ODI.

— Abhay 🇮🇳 (@abhaysrivastavv) July 6, 2023

Virat ke begair t20 dekhaga bhi koi nahi

— Muhammad Umar (@umar840jutt) July 5, 2023