Having stepped away from T20Is and Tests, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will once again be watching the action from the sidelines, during the upcoming T20-format Asia Cup in the UAE. Their much-anticipated return is likely in late October, when India tour Australia for a white-ball series that includes three ODIs.www.telecomasia.net
or former India batter Suresh Raina, the absence is temporary — and their ODI value remains beyond question.www.telecomasia.net
Leadership Beyond the Captaincy
Rohit’s future as ODI captain is still uncertain, even after guiding India to the Champions Trophy earlier this year. But Raina insists their leadership extends beyond the armband.
Gill has stepped into the Test captaincy role, impressing on the England tour with 754 runs in 10 innings at a staggering average of 75.40, including four centuries. But Raina believes mentorship from proven champions is irreplaceable.
T20 and Test Farewells
Both players retired from T20Is after India’s T20 World Cup triumph last year and from Test cricket earlier this season. Yet, their ODI chapter, Raina feels, should continue at least through the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.
Siraj — The Relentless Spearhead
Raina also reserved high praise for pacer Mohammed Siraj, whose fiery spells were central to India’s 2-2 Test series draw in England. Siraj finished the series as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets at 32.43, including a decisive five-wicket haul in the Oval Test that secured a six-run win.
on the final day of that last Test, England needed just 35 runs with four wickets in hand — but Siraj’s burst of three wickets sealed the match. “You need such characters who want to take wickets and want to bowl with the new ball. Such an attitude is very important, especially when you don’t have Mohammed Shami around. If anybody other than Shami has mastered this art, it’s Bumrah and Siraj.”
