India Team 2024: 3 Big Tasks for India as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli in Focus

India ended 2023 as the top-ranked team in all formats. Despite their dominance in the bilateral series and the Asia Cup, they narrowly missed winning the ODI World Cup 2023. Top batsman Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's brilliant performances have set the stage for upcoming cricket matches in 2024. The focus will be on these senior batters, as this could be their final year in T20 cricket.

The team's transition is underway, with emerging aggressive batters like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer replacing Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in Test cricket. Fresh players have also been introduced in the ODI series against South Africa, signaling the beginning of a new and promising era for Indian cricket.

Here's a look at what could be their top 3 assignments this year:-

Test Series Against England -

England is set to play a 5-match Test series against India in January 2024, with the Tests scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala. This series will mark the first time that Ben Stokes' England will face Rohit Sharma's India. The two teams have previously met only once in England, where England emerged victorious in a closely contested match.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was the captain of India in that Test, will be looking to reverse the outcome on home soil. The series holds significance for both teams, as England, having performed well in Test matches over the past year and a half, will face a true test of their abilities against spin in Indian conditions. There are also concerns about Ben Stokes' availability for the series due to knee issues, which might impact England's preparations and performance

Timeline of above Matches are as Follows -

Jan 25-29, 9:30 AM IST, Hyderabad

Feb 2-6, 9:30 AM IST, Vizag

Feb 15-19, 9:30 AM IST, Rajkot

Feb 23-27, 9:30 AM IST, Ranchi

Mar 7-11, 9:30 AM IST, Dharamsala

T20 World Cup 2024 -

The composition of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024, to be held in the Caribbean Islands and the United States of America in June, is currently uncertain. With only three T20Is scheduled before the tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to play a significant role in the selection of players. The IPL, which will take place between March and May, will likely influence the team selection for the T20 World Cup. The tournament will feature 20 teams, with the top two in each of the four groups of five moving to a Super Eight phase, followed by the semi-finals.

Captaincy Dilemma -

There has been no official announcement from either Rohit or the BCCI regarding his availability for the upcoming tournament, leaving fans confused. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya has taken over as captain, but he is presently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 World Cup. He is expected to recover in time for the Indian Premier League, providing him with a little over two months to demonstrate his aptitude and fitness ahead of the ICC event, which is scheduled for June 2024.

Border - Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Following consecutive victories against Australia, India is set to lock horns against Australia for a 5-match Test series. The 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) victory under Virat Kohli was hailed as historic, but the 2020/21 triumph, headed by Ajinkya Rahane's C-string team, was even more impressive as they claimed a 2-1 series win.

With Rishabh Pant possibly returning to the squad, there is a lot of hope riding on the Indian team heading into the series. Captain Rohit Sharma is yet to secure a BGT victory away from home, but he will be eager to create history with a victory over Australia.