India's cricket fraternity has been buzzing with questions about the noticeable absence of bigwigs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from this year's T20 international matches. This mystery has deepened as other prominent figures like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami have also remained on the sidelines. The recent developments have brought the focus on India's cricket strategy, especially with Hardik Pandya captaining the team in the T20I arena.
In a candid interview, Rohit Sharma provided clarity on the matter, surprising many with his forthright explanation. Referring to the strategy adopted in the previous year, he said, "Last year also we did the same thing - the T20 World Cup was there, so we didn't play one-day cricket. Now also we are doing the same, the ODI World Cup is there, so we are not playing T20s."
Rohit elaborated that it's essential for players to pick their tournaments wisely to be in optimal form for significant events like the World Cup. He highlighted the planned approach, "You can't play everything and be ready for the World Cup. We decided this two years ago."
Addressing the undue attention on himself and Virat, Rohit posed a question about Jadeja's absence, pointing out that strategic decisions go beyond individual players, "Jadeja is also not playing T20, you did not ask about him? I understand about the focus (on himself and Virat). But Jadeja is also not playing."
Fans can anticipate the return of these cricket giants in the forthcoming Asia Cup slated for later this month. This tournament is expected to be a crucial indicator for the Indian team in preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Rohit and his team harbor aspirations of clinching this significant title, especially considering India's last ICC trophy victory was a decade ago.
Post the ODI World Cup, all eyes will be on the decisions regarding Rohit and Kohli's involvement in T20 internationals, particularly with the next T20I World Cup set for 2024. Rohit, fondly referred to as the 'Hitman,' has already signaled his eagerness for the event, sparking further interest in the cricket community.
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