Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma not 'dropped' but 'rested', feels AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers also believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be back in the Indian T20I setup.

Entering the transition period, Team India kept out big names like Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli from the squad for upcoming 5-match T20I series. Looking at the future of Indian cricket in the shortest format, BCCI decided to give Hardik Pandya a free hand as captain in the T20I format.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's non-selection is deemed as their T20I career is over. But there's one legend who sees Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ouster otherwise. Former South African captain AB de Villiers feels that Virat and Rohit are not dropped but rested from the Indian T20I squad and will soon come back in the shortest format of the game.

AB de Villiers says Virat and Rohit are rested and not dropped

Former South African captain, AB de Villiers said, "No Virat Kohli, No Rohit Sharma, I think this is the new look Indian T20I squad maybe for the really big series against who knows who? or World Cup? We will see those names again, but I do like the Indian squad being a bit proactive and giving these youngsters a turn to show what their mettle is all about. Ultimately, Virat and Rohit also get some rest for that World Cup coming up".

Both Indian stars have not played any T20I game for Team India after the T20 World Cup semifinal defeat against England in Australia. Earlier the reports came in as the BCCI is looking for fresh faces in the shortest format of the game.

India will be playing 5-match T20I series against West Indies in the Caribbean islands and the USA. After this tour, India will be touring Ireland for a 3-match T20I series. After November India will again shift their focus back to the T20I format and youngsters may get the opportunity to place themselves as a permanent member of the T20 team. AB de Villiers also hailed Team India's inclusion of youngsters. He said, "Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Verma, the two youngsters with bat in hand. They both looked very dangerous in the IPL. What I do like in the pace department is seeing Umran Malik there. Raw pace, we saw him in the IPL with batters jumping around when he is bowling".