Rohit Sharma expressed concerns about young players lacking the passion for Test cricket, questioning the purpose of including them in the team if they lack the desire to play.
India secured a 3-1 lead in the five-match, subsequently sealing the Test series against England following their victory in the fourth Test in Ranchi on 26th February. When speaking at the post-match press conference, skipper Rohit Sharma voiced concerns about the lack of hunger among young players for Test cricket, emphasizing the importance of passion in the longest format.
Rohit’s remarks come in the wake of controversies involving Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who faced criticism for skipping Ranji Trophy matches despite directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to participate.
ALSO READ | Ranji Trophy No-Show: Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan Likely to Face Exclusion from BCCI Central Contracts
“Dekho, jinko Test Cricket ki bhook nahi hain, wo dekh ke hi pata chal jata hain. Un sabko khilane ka kya faida phir? (Look, you can tell just by looking who doesn’t have the hunger for Test Cricket. What’s the point of playing them then?),” Rohit remarked.
Rohit Sharma in youngsters hunger for Test cricket:
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 26, 2024
"Dekho, jinko Test Cricket ki bhook nahi hain, wo dekh ke hi pata chal jata hain. Un sabko khilane ka kya faida phir? (See, the one who doesn't have hunger to play Tests can be seen, what's the meaning of playing them)". pic.twitter.com/ijSeja90Nh
During the Ranchi Test’s final day, India successfully chased down 192 runs, even enduring a 31-over period without a boundary. Rohit further commended the young batters’ ability to handle pressure and remain focused throughout the series.
“Clearly tells me that they(youngsters) want to be here. All the hard work that they have done in the past, in the growing-up years, coming through the whole circuit of playing domestic cricket, playing the local club cricket and performing there, and then coming here…,” the skipper said.
Rohit also praised Dhruv Jurel for his composed performance in his second Test match, highlighting his versatility and crucial contributions in both innings.
“Dhruv Jurel, especially playing his second game, showed solid composure. Calmness as well. And then obviously again in the second innings, showed a lot of maturity, a lot of composure as well, along with Shubman Gill,” he concluded.
Last Updated on February 26, 2024
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