“Scenario Completely Wrong”: Ex-India Star On Rohit Sharma’s Uncertainity For 1st Australia Test

admin — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 13:39:57 +0000

File photo of Rohit Sharma.© AFP

Nearly a week remains for the start of the Border-Gavskar Trophy, but the uncertainity on Rohit Sharma‘s availability for the opening game still persists. The India captain is expected to miss the first match, starting November 22 in Perth, as he remains home after the birth of his second child. Neither Rohit nor India head coach Gautam Gambhir have given a clear-cut answer on the issue. As a result, it is still unclear whether Rohit will play the first Test or not. Speaking on the matter, former India player Mohammad Kaif has said that such a scenario is not ideal for the team in such a crucial series.

Notably, India need to win the five-match Test series in Australia 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on external factors. A non-favourable result at the series Down Under will see India struggle or even lose the berth for the summit clash.

“This scenario is completely wrong. You want your best team to play such a big Test match. Rohit Sharma should be there. He will open for India in the series and exactly knows how to lead the team. Rohit has every right to miss a game due to family matter but he should inform early. The suspense is not ideal,” said Kaif in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Rohit might not have given confirmation about his availability because he wants to play. He knows the team has lost 3-0 to New Zealand. His wife is pregnant but if things are better at home, he will be there in Australia. That is why he has not announced about his unavailability yet. I think he wholeheartedly wants to go there and play,” he added.

Earlier this week, Gambhir said in a press conference that if Rohit is unavailable, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side.

“No player agrees to captain a side for one game. It is not good idea as well. It would be much better if Rohit leads India in the opening game,” said Kaif.

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“Every Time He Comes Back From Break…”: Ex-India Star Praises ‘Dangerous Batter’ Virat Kohli

admin — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 06:49:48 +0000

India’s star batter Virat Kohli missed the entire five-match Test series against England after taking a paternity break. He was blessed with a baby boy in February this year. The star batter will be seen in action in the upcoming Indian Premier League that kicks off on March 22. Kohli is yet to join his team Royal Challengers Bangalore in their pre-tournament camp. While RCB had to start their preparation without their numero uno, former India player Mohammad Kaif has backed Kohli to come out solid after the break.

“Virat Kohli has been playing amazing cricket for the last 1-2 years; he has been in good form. I remember during the Asia Cup when he scored a century against Afghanistan; since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has been in amazing form since then, and when a player like Virat Kohli is in form, he knows how to make runs in every match; he was also the player of the tournament during the World Cup. So I think he’s going to continue this amazing form,” Kaif told in Star Sports show “Game Plan”.

“One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well. Most players want to be in touch and play regularly to get in form, but Virat Kohli every time when he comes back from the break, he comes across as a more dangerous batsman. Yes, there are Green and Maxwell in the team, but Virat Kohli’s form will decide RCB’s place in the playoffs. It’s important that Virat Kohli is in form with Maxwell and Green for RCB to qualify for the playoffs,” he added.

Kohli might take a few more days to join before RCB start their IPL campaign against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22.

Most of the domestic players joined the camp under the guidance of new head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and they went through the paces on the opening day of the camp on Wednesday.

While skipper Faf du Plessis was in attendance along with West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, Kohli, easily the biggest ‘Box Office’ in Indian cricket, is yet to hit the straps after the paternity break.

(With PTI Inputs)

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“Scenario Completely Wrong”: Ex-India Star On Rohit Sharma’s Uncertainity For 1st Australia Test

“Every Time He Comes Back From Break…”: Ex-India Star Praises ‘Dangerous Batter’ Virat Kohli