BCCI President Roger Binny has hinted that it will be another two to three years by which time the Indian T20 team will come out all guns blazing as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are done playing the format internationally.
Rohit, 37, and Virat, 35, retired from T20 Internationals on Sunday after having played key roles in India's second T20 World Cup victory. The 2007 champions sealed their latest title by beating South Africa in a pulsating final by seven runs on Saturday to end an 11-year drought for an ICC trophy.
"There is so much talent in the IPL, and cricketers are soon going to come out. But it is certainly going to take a little time to fill the boots left by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli once they retire from T20Is," Binny said while addressing the media following the final. "Their contributions have been immense. It will take a couple of years for the team to find its footing without them."
Rohit retired from T20Is with 4231 runs from 159 matches, five centuries, and 32 fifties. Kohli, in 125 T20I matches, made 4188 runs at 48.69, his best being his solitary T20 century, 122 against Afghanistan last September. Both players will continue to turn out in the IPL and for their country in ODIs and Tests.
Binny, a member of the '83 ODI World Cup-winning team, said the first-ever World Cup win changed India's status from underdogs to serious contenders, a perception that has persisted because of the many talent pools, which was reflected in the country. "In 1983, we went in as underdogs. After we won it and now whenever we are playing a World Cup, people expect India to win it. Nobody takes us for granted," he said.
The recent World Cup also marked the end of head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure. There has been much speculation regarding former opener Gautam Gambhir as his successor, but the latter is tight-lipped. "Nothing is confirmed yet. Gautam Gambhir has tremendous experience. He's played the game in all formats, worked with teams. So, let's see," he said.
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