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Cricket

'Hitman is back' - Fans elated as Rohit Sharma set to lead Team India in T20I series against South Africa

Rohit Sharma will be playing in the shortest format after a year. Following India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup, the senior players did not feature in the T20Is.

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Mathew K
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Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Team India's next target is to taste victory in the T20I World Cup in June 2024. The preparations started with the home series against Australia and the next assignment will see the Men in Blue face South Africa on their home soil. The Indian team are scheduled to leave for South Africa on December 6 for three T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches. 

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The Indian Cricket Board had to sort out the captaincy issues before sending the team for the month-long tour. With Hardik Pandya yet to recover from an injury sustained during the ODI World Cup, there was concern over who would lead the team in the T20 format. However, in a surprising turn of events, Rohit Sharma is returning to the shortest format as the team's captain after a year.

Earlier there were reports that the Indian Cricket Board and selectors are set to hold talks with Rohit Sharma about his future in T20Is. The management expressed their wish to extend Rohit's T20I career at least till the upcoming T20 World Cup. The latest development suggests that the 36-year-old would lead India in the premier 20-over tournament scheduled to take place in the USA/West Indies next year. 

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will miss the three-match T20I series against the Proteas as he has informed the management of his decision to take an indefinite break from white-ball cricket. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently leading the side in the five-match series against Australia, has been rested for the upcoming ODI series as he has been playing non-stop cricket.

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It is reported that KL Rahul will lead the Indian ODI team in South Africa, which indicates that Rohit will not be part of the 50-over series. Other notable updates include the inclusion of Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar in the Indian ODI squad. Both Rohit and Kohli are expected to feature in the two-match Test series starting on December 26. 

Here's how fans reacted to reports that Rohit Sharma will lead Team India in the T20I series against South Africa:

 

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India Rohit Sharma featured South Africa