India have entered a bold new phase in T20 Internationals following the retirement of two of their biggest cricketing icons — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. After lifting the T20 World Cup 2024, the Men in Blue have continued their fine form in the shortest format of the game and look set to carry that momentum into the upcoming Asia Cup.
Their next major challenge? A high-voltage showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, September 14 in Dubai.
“The King is Dead, Long Live the King” – India Moves On from Kohli-Rohit Era
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan believes the current Indian T20 team has successfully transitioned beyond the Rohit-Virat era. Speaking to CNN-News18, Wassan highlighted the strength of the new lineup led by Suryakumar Yadav, saying the team is more than capable of beating Pakistan.
“I will not miss Rohit and Virat because then I will start missing Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev also. The king is dead, long live the king,” Wassan remarked.
“Things move on. New superstars come in. I feel sorry for the selectors because there’s so much talent – it’s tough to decide who to drop and who to pick.”
India’s current squad boasts an impressive blend of youth, firepower, and consistency — a promising sign for the future of Indian cricket.
Team Depth is India’s Biggest Strength
The bench strength of this Indian T20I team has caught the eye of former spinner Piyush Chawla as well. He pointed out the team’s strong performances since the retirement of Kohli and Sharma, emphasizing how tough it has become to secure a spot in the playing XI.
“Look at the games India have won post the Rohit and Kohli era — they are doing a fantastic job,” said Chawla.
“Arshdeep Singh, who is in the top five T20 bowlers globally, isn’t even making it into the XI. That tells you the kind of depth this team has.”
Even with stars like Arshdeep Singh on the bench, India has maintained a winning rhythm — a testament to the squad’s quality and the strategic leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.
