After the T20 World Cup 2024 final, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma said their goodbyes to T20 Internationals, but Zimbabwean legend Andy Flower thinks India has suitable replacements.

The present head coach of RCB, formerly the captain of Zimbabwe, discussed the upcoming five-game series with The Times of India.

In response to a question regarding the future of Indian cricket, Flower highlighted the depth and strength of the present Indian team. “This India-Zimbabwe series is going to be really interesting. It's a very strong side the Indian selectors have put out. All these guys have not only shown a lot of talent in the IPL but also have the attitude required to play international cricket. There are readymade replacements for the guys who've retired, even though they are genuinely great cricketers,” According to Flower, as reported by TOI.

He said, “The strong domestic structure in India means there will always be readymade replacements. It's certainly nothing to be scared of. India will keep producing these greats. There is always someone ready to come in. Whenever some of the great cricketers have retired, you think they won't be and cannot be replaced. But people move on very quickly. All eyes adjust and focus on the next talent that comes along.”

Flower also named a number of exciting prospects as important players to keep an eye on during the India-Zimbabwe series.

“If I put my IPL coaching hat on, then I'll have to keep a keen watch on the players. (Yashasvi) Jaiswal didn't play a single match in the T20 World Cup but he is an incredible option. Shubman Gill, by his standards, had a quiet IPL but he looks a very intelligent player. He plays in a similar way to Virat Kohli. I'm looking forward to Abhishek Sharma performing. I really like the look of Dhruv Jurel. Watching him in the Test series against England, he did brilliantly. Riyan Parag has the swagger that you need in international cricket,” he remarked.

The RCB head coach has seen Virat Kohli close up and was asked if he knew about his T20I retirement. Flower revealed, “I hadn't thought about it (Kohli's retirement). I was a little surprised. I really enjoyed working with Virat in the IPL last season. I have utmost respect for him, obviously as a player but also the way he supported Faf du Plessis and myself and Mo Bopat, the director of cricket. He is a brilliant role model. He is an outstanding professional sportsperson. He looks after himself really well. He is disciplined without being robotic. He laughs and has fun, has a cheeky sense of humour and takes the mickey out of people. He always mixes in with team gatherings and he is very approachable. He has a very good cricket brain and can think out of the box too.”

In the meantime, the five-match series between Zimbabwe and India got off to a winning start. Following a modest 115-run score, the home team bowled brilliantly, limiting India to 102 runs and securing a 13-run victory.