The announcement of Team India's lineup for the Australia series by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar has stirred quite a debate among cricket fans. The decision to rest Virat Kohli for the initial two ODIs of the three-match series against Australia has not been well-received by fans, leading to a barrage of reactions on social media.
India's first match in the World Cup is also against Australia, making the series even more significant. Alongside Kohli, other key players like Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav have been given a break, with KL Rahul being handed the captaincy for the first two ODIs.
Fans took to social media platforms to express their discontent. One fan commented, suggesting a conspiracy by Rahul Dravid and the Mumbai lobby to rest Kohli in an attempt to preserve Sachin Tendulkar's records. Another fan labelled the decision as 'dirty politics', empathising with the challenges faced by Kohli. However, it's worth noting that both Kohli and Rohit are slated to return for the third ODI, which will be held in Rajkot on 27 September.
Highlighting Kohli's recent achievements, he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record during the Asia Cup. Scoring a century against Pakistan, Kohli became the quickest batter to amass 13,000 runs in ODIs, achieving this feat in 267 innings. In contrast, Tendulkar took 321 innings to reach the same milestone.
As for the leadership of Team India during the Australia tour, the reins have been handed over to KL Rahul for the first two games. Additionally, R Ashwin makes a comeback for the three-match series. Both Ashwin and Washington Sundar are set to be available for all three ODIs, while Axar Patel is expected to feature in the third match. The series promises to be a thrilling encounter, with fans eagerly awaiting the on-field action and hoping for a strong performance from Team India.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
ODI World Cup 2023: List of 11 players battling injuries ahead of upcoming quadrennial competition in India
'Iyer ticked 99% of parameters, Axar has a small tear': Rohit Sharma drops massive fitness update and return timeline of injured players
