Putting all speculations to relaxation, Rohit Sharma has categorically backed Okay.L. Rahul to be his first-choice opening companion and described Virat Kohli as a “third opener” and a “definite option”.
Experimentation over
Speaking to the mediapersons right here forward of the three-match T20I collection towards Australia starting on Tuesday, Rohit indicated that, with the T20 World Cup simply over a month away, the time for experimentation with the group mixture was over.
“Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup. We do not want to experiment with that position a lot. Sometimes, his performance goes quite unnoticed but we are very clear [on] what Rahul brings to the table.
He is a quality player and his presence at the top is very crucial for us.”
About Kohli, Rohit mentioned, “Virat is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of the Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played [as an opener].
“Since we have not taken a third opener…, Virat opens for his franchise in the IPL and he has done really well, so he is a definite option for us. It is always nice to have options and flexibility. You want the players to be in best shape batting at any position.”
Talking in regards to the last-minute inclusion of Umesh Yadav as a alternative for Mohammad Shami, who will miss the collection after testing constructive for Covid, Rohit mentioned, “There were few options, but few of them are injured like Prasidh [Krishna], while Avesh Khan needs time to recover after being sick during the Asia Cup. [Mohammad] Siraj is playing for his County and we did not want him to fly all the way, for one or two games.”
Source: www.thehindu.com