When asked why he decided to sit out the first two ODIs of India’s forthcoming three-game series against Australia, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid was candid.
India’s head coach Rahul Dravid explained why he decided to sit Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma out of the opening two ODIs of the three-game series against Australia. Both players, along with others like Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav, have been given a break after the first two games. Fans are split on how they feel about the choice to rest the series’ main characters.
With just over two weeks till the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, many think the Indian team used the Australia series as a chance to test their strongest XI. Fans also said that Kohli and Rohit had been well rested for the most crucial tournament of the year thanks to many breaks throughout the year.
Dravid clarified the decision to rest both players, saying it was a team decision made after consulting with the players. Management hoped that Kohli and Rohit would enter the World Cup in peak condition.
“The decision to rest Kohli and Rohit was taken after mutual discussion & consultation as the team wanted them to be fresh mentally and physically for the World Cup,” Dravid said in the pre-match presser ahead of the first ODI between India and Australia in Mohali on Friday.
“Senior players like Rohit and Virat have their own unique way of preparation for big games. Discussions are done with them and then a mutual decision is made as to what is the best way forward. It is important to get them to the World Cup in the right frame of mind,” he added.
KL Rahul to lead India Against Australia
KL Rahul will lead India’s team against Australia in the first two games in Rohit’s absence, with Ravindra Jadeja taking Hardik’s place as vice captain. To prepare for the World Cup, India has also included players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, and Washington Sundar in their starting lineup for the first two games.
Prasidh, Tilak and Gaikwad will make way for Rohit, Kohli, Kuldeep and Hardik in the 17-man squad named for the third and final ODI against Australia. Injured all-rounder Axar Patel, who is not part of the squad for the first two ODIs, will also make his comeback for the final game of the series on September 27, given that he has attained full fitness and received clearance from the BCCI medical staff.
