AB de Villiers' no-nonsense take on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's T20I future: 'Do they have the hunger to...'

India have just three more T20Is after the South Africa series to prepare for the T20 World Cup 2024. So far, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not featured for India in T20Is in 2023 and they continue to be missing from the squad in South Africa. Their absence has led to multiple reports stating that the stalwarts may not return to the T20Is, however, there have also been a few reports that Rohit is BCCI’s preferred choice to captain India in the World Cup and even Kohli may return soon.

The Indian cricket team fans and experts are divided on this topic. Some feel that India need to back their youngsters, while a section feels that the experience of Rohit and Kohli will come in handy in the World Cup.

Amid all the rumours and speculations, South African great AB de Villiers has shared his opinion on the matter. Considered one of the best T20 batters, ABD feels that Rohit and Kohli will be there in the West Indies and USA for the T20 World Cup 2024 as they still have the “hunger” to win the World Cup.

“We just have to see them there (Rohit & Virat). It’s all about their hunger. Do they have the hunger to go there and win the T20 World Cup? I think so. I cannot speak on their behalf but I think they will want to go there and win. T20 World Cup is a short tournament and you do set yourselves up to have another chance of winning a World Cup. So I do see them going there,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

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Rohit and Kohli last played a T20I in the 2022 World Cup semi-final which India lost to England, since then India have been preparing for the 2024 edition by experimenting with a lot of young players. Hardik Pandya captained India in the meantime, however, since he suffered an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav has captained India.

He led Team India to a 4-1 T20I series win over Australia at home after the ODI World Cup.

“India captained by Suryakumar Yadav is quite a nice move, I like that. He is a bit of a 360 (degree) player. He thinks differently and is a bit creative,” de Villiers said.