Suryakumar Yadav picks Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's replacement in Team India

Although Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja's withdrawal from the shorter format of cricket left a huge hole, India's T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged that the next generation is stepping up to keep the squad on pace.

Since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 victory in the USA and Caribbean last year, Indian cricket is undergoing a significant shift. The T20I careers of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja were terminated when India won the T20 World Cup 2024, ending the title drought.

Suryakumar took over captaincy after the T20 World Cup 2024

Suryakumar Yadav stated that it is extremely difficult to replace Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja in the next 2026 T20 World Cup, but that new players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma are already demonstrating promise and taking charge in T20I cricket.

“To fill the shoes of such big players, I can't say that it is impossible, but it is difficult. Because players with skills keep coming. But it is very difficult to fill the shoes. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. But someone has to take their place. And people will learn,” Suryakumar Yadav said on India Today.

Surya further stated that Tilak Varma is demonstrating his ability to stabilize the innings at No. 3, while Abhishek Sharma has filled the vacuum left by Rohit as an opener. The captain stated that the promising spinners in the all-rounder division are rising up to continue Jadeja's legacy.

Young guns are roaring in T20Is for India: Suryakumar Yadav

According to Suryakumar Yadav, the squad is gradually striking the correct balance and it is conceivable to replace Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja, but it will take time. When the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 comes around, he hopes they'll have a finalized squad.

“Players are coming. As Rohit Bhai went, one Sharma went, so another Sharma came. Now Abhishek Sharma has come. Then Tilak Verma came in at number three. He is taking responsibility. He has a glimpse of delivering India well. And then there is Jaddu Bhai. So, a spinner has come in his place,” he stated.

It is impossible to match the experience and impact of these icons overnight, Surya said, adding that the younger generation is ensuring that the Indian cricket team continues to be a formidable force in the game's shorter format.

“So, it is difficult to fill those shoes, but we will get there. But slowly, it will take time. Right now, we can only say that some parts of the train have changed. But the train should continue to run. The train will continue to run,” he stated.

Here is the video:

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Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli जैसे दिग्गजों के रिटायरमेंट पर क्या कहा?#SuryaKumarYadav #ICCChampionsTrophy | @SwetaSinghAT | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/3dGhaxWa6L

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