India’s all-format skipper Rohit Sharma in the press conference after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection revealed why he ignored playing T20Is after the exit from the 2022 edition of the tournament. Rohit said that he had a discussion with the selection committee and it was decided that the ODI World Cup 2023 needs to be given priority.
“In the past, whichever format happens, we give priority to that. Us being where we are, a lot of players were given breaks (based on the format team was playing). That was discussed as a selection committee group, coaches and players as well. Ajit came later into the picture and probably did not know earlier meetings about who should be rested and who shoudn't,” Rohit said at the press conference.
Earlier this year, Rohit made a comeback in T20Is in the home series against Afghanistan which took place right before the Test series against England. Alongside Rohit, Virat Kohli made a comeback to T20Is as well and played two games.
In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya was leading the T20I team. He missed out on a few series due to the ankle injury he suffered during ODI World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh. In Pandya’s absence, Suryakumar Yadav led the Indian side.
Meanwhile, selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar opened up on Rinku Singh’s absence from the 15-member squad.
“He has done nothing wrong, even Shubman Gill. There are a couple of wrist-spinners in the team to give Rohit more options. Similar case for Axar who is a batting all-rounder. We thought to have another bowling option might be handy. It was tough on him, but at the end of the day we had to pick the team,” he said.
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
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