Rohit Sharma, addressing Virat Kohli’s absence, explained that while considering senior players like Pujara or Rahane was contemplated, the team prioritized giving opportunities to younger players.
With Virat Kohli opting out of the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, India faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement for the batting maestro. While experienced players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were available, reports were suggesting that the team might opt for a younger talent, with Rajar Patidar emerging as a top contender.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged the consideration of recalling a senior player but emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to younger talents. In a pre-match statement, Rohit highlighted the team’s dilemma, stating that while bringing back a seasoned player was an option, nurturing and providing chances to the budding cricketers was also a crucial aspect they considered.
“Yeah, I mean, look, you could have thought that [going back to a senior player] we did actually think about it, but all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That’s something that we thought as well,” Rohit said.
“Leaving out an experienced player or not considering them is very hard because of the amount of runs they’ve scored, the kind of experience they’ve had, the amount of games that they have won. For us, it’s very hard to ignore all of that, but you sometimes got to bring certain players into your setup as well, and you got to give them your favorable conditions,” he added.
Rohit also stressed the significance of seizing the current opportunity to give inexperienced players a taste of international red-ball cricket. Avoiding exposure to unfamiliar foreign conditions, the team aims to introduce youngsters when feasible, ensuring they gain valuable experience without undue pressure on overseas tours where they haven’t played before.
Last Updated on January 24, 2024
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