Is Rohit Sharma set to return to India's starting line-up?
India's selection strategy has come under scrutiny once again. No one could comprehend Virat Kohli's last-minute decision to leave Rohit Sharma out of India's playing XI for the first T20 on Friday.
Kohli had announced just 24 hours before the first T20 that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul would open the Indian innings.
“Rohit and KL will take the stage; they've done a fantastic job so far. On Thursday evening, Virat Kohli announced, "We've decided to start with them."
At the toss, Kohli said, "We're going to start with KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan; Rohit Sharma will be rested for the first few games."
Why was Rohit Sharma given a break? Why did Kohli change his mind in less than a day?
What happened in those 24 hours that Kohli and the team management decided to change their minds and rest their most productive T20 batsman, particularly against the World No. 1 team?
Manoj Tiwari, a former Indian cricketer, challenged Kohli's and the Indian think tank's decision.
“This has come as a complete shock to me. Rohit is known as the assassin. How do you leave your assassin unattended like that? It makes no sense if Rohit isn't given every opportunity before the T20 World Cup, given his current form.
I don't know whether Rohit is injured or just has a few niggles, but if he isn't, it's a huge mistake, and I'm sure the Indian team will pay a high price for it. I am not a big fan of the rotation policy.
Can Virat Kohli reintroduce Rohit Sharma to the Indian XI for the second T20?
The big question now is whether Virat Kohli and the Indian think-tank can correct their error and put Rohit Sharma back in the second T20.
If not, India will have to pay the price with a series loss to England.
T20I stats since July 2019
|
Player |
Mat |
Inngs |
Runs |
Avg |
SR |
100s/50s |
|
Rahul |
18 |
17 |
663 |
44.2 |
139.58 |
0/7 |
|
Rohit |
14 |
14 |
442 |
34 |
144.92 |
0/5 |
|
Shikhar |
14 |
13 |
359 |
27.62 |
120.88 |
0/2 |
As opening pairs in T20Is
|
Pair |
Inngs |
Runs |
Avg |
100s\50s |
Highest |
|
Rohit – Shikhar |
52 |
1743 |
33.52 |
4\7 |
160 |
|
Rohit – Rahul |
11 |
558 |
50.73 |
2\1 |
165 |
|
Shikhar – Rahul |
7 |
306 |
43.71 |
0\4 |
97 |
According to cricket experts, instead of experimenting, a team should choose their best XI. At the moment, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are unquestionably the best opening pair.
“Rather than experimenting, India should have played with their best available eleven; the best XI should be selected for the second T20,” VVS Laxman said.
Tiwari agrees with Laxman and wonders why the Indian think tank is so fixated on experimentation as the World Cup approaches.
“I'm not sure how we still don't have a decided XI for T20 when you have some of the best cricketers in your side with plenty of talent.
The World Cup is approaching, and we are still searching for the best XI. I really don't understand why you think it's a good idea to give others a chance to get your best XI.
What is the right time to give your best players match practise? I believe in supplying the best players with as many chances as possible to develop their muscle memory.
Let's not overdo it with the experimenting. He said, "That is not good for Indian Cricket."
In the post-match interview, Kohli said that ‘India will come back stronger' in the second T20.
But, in order for that to happen, he'll have to do another U-turn and get Rohit Sharma back into the Indian line-up.
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