(ANI/X Source)

Former Indian captain and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has lavished praise on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. As the first Indian captain to secure the ODI World Cup title, Kapil Dev described Rohit and Virat as stalwarts of Indian cricket, emphasizing that their contributions are irreplaceable across all formats of the game. Following their instrumental roles in India’s triumph at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup last month, both Rohit and Virat announced their retirements from T20Is.

“No one can take Virat and Rohit’s place in the Indian team in any format. They have been a huge servant of Indian cricket, and it was a happy farewell for them. The stature that Virat has made of himself in all formats, he will surely be missed in T20Is. Both are the same as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. They are irreplaceable,” Kapil was quoted as saying by IANS.

Rohit Sharma, India’s captain and the sole Indian to have clinched two T20 World Cup titles, holds the record for the most appearances in T20I history. He concluded his career as the highest run-scorer and leading six-hitter in the format.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli wrapped up his illustrious 14-year T20I career on a high note by earning the Player of the Match award in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, held in Barbados on June 29. He ranks second in the list of highest run-scorers in T20Is and stands as the top scorer in T20 World Cup history.

Rohit likely to play ODIs in Sri Lanka

Following his retirement from T20Is, Rohit Sharma may make his return to the Indian squad next month for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka scheduled in Colombo on August 2, 4, and 7. The BCCI is poised to unveil India’s squad for the upcoming limited-overs series on Wednesday (July 17), sparking intrigue over who will lead the Men in Blue in the subsequent three-match T20I series.

The spotlight is on star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav as contenders to succeed Rohit as the new captain of India’s T20I team.