'Imagine what will be the team's confidence' - Sunil Gavaskar's 'out-of-the-box suggestion' concerning Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as T20 World Cup approaches

Team India are currently busy with their final T20 assignment ahead of the June 2024 World Cup. The ongoing three-match T20I home series against Afghanistan will be a key factor in deciding the squad for the premier 20-over tournament. However, the Indian Cricket Board has already confirmed that players' performance in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) will be the primary consideration. 

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After weeks of speculation, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been named in the squad for the bilateral series, as the veteran duo expressed their desire to play in the World Cup. Notably, both of them last played a T20 match for India in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against England. However, Kohli has opted out of the series opener in Mohali due to personal reasons, while Rohit has returned as captain in the shortest format after 14 months.

Unfortunately, Rohit was run out for a duck after a terrible mix-up with Shubman Gill in the first match. This means the Indian skipper and Kohli have just two more international T20 matches to impress the selectors. Rest everything depends on their performance in IPL 2024. However, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar opined that the senior duo should get into the World Cup squad even though they manage to have an ordinary IPL. 

"I feel the IPL form will be crucial because that will be the current form. The Afghanistan series is in January. The World Cup is in June. So whoever has good form in March, April and May should be given consideration first, that performance should be given consideration. Along with that, I will also say that even if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have an ordinary IPL, but they score runs there, you cannot score runs in every match, but suppose they make good contributions in five out of 14 matches, you will have to take advantage of their experience, and you can probably pick them in the team," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

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What is Sunil Gavaskar's 'out-of-the-box suggestion'?

With senior players focusing on the Test and ODI formats, the management has been building a core of youngsters in the shortest formats. With India currently having a lot of talent, it is difficult for the selectors to choose the World Cup squad. Meanwhile, Gavaskar came up with special advice to the management that the presence of Rohit and Kohli in the dugout will boost the confidence of the team if they do not find a place in the squad.

"I will also say that, it's an out-of-the-box suggestion, you can take them along with the team as well, if you cannot pick them in the 14 (15), because of their experience. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in the dugout, imagine what will be the team's confidence," Gavaskar added.