Ashish Nehra highlights 'tricky' situation for Team India selectors ahead of T20 World Cup

Ashish Nehra believes that Hardik Pandya’s return to T20Is will create a ‘tricky’ situation for Team India selectors. The former pacer also feels that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been given a break from the upcoming T20Is and ODIs in South Africa, will feature for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 if they are fit.

Rohit and Kohli wanted to take a break from international cricket after a demanding ODI World Cup campaign that concluded with a final loss to Australia. Suryakumar Yadav will continue as the T20I captain, while KL Rahul will assume the leadership role in ODIs.

Rohit and Kohli have not played T20Is for a year and there were speculations over their future, but Nehra is quite positive about their return to the T20I format.

“Somebody like Rohit Sharma. Somebody like Virat Kohli. If they are fit, we do not need to discuss their form. Definitely, they will be there in the Caribbean and USA,” Nehra said to JioCinema.

Rohit’s return, meanwhile, is expected to create an environment where selectors will be forced to make a decision between Pandya and him for the captaincy role. Hardik Pandy had captained India since the T20 World Cup in 2022 before he picked up an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup 2023. But reports suggest that BCCI wants Rohit to be the captain in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Having worked with Hardik Pandya during their association at Gujarat Titans in the last two editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Nehra is also aware of the uncertainty surrounding the India all-rounder’s return and its potential impact on the team’s selection decisions.

“I don’t know about captaincy, there is still time. It is a tricky one for the selectors also. Hardik Pandya also got injured and it will be interesting to see when he comes back into the Indian side. If Hardik Pandya plays straight in the IPL, it will be difficult for any selection committee,” said Nehra.

India’s tour of South Africa starts on 10 December with a three-match T20I series. They will also play three ODIs and two Tests against the Proteas.