Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma© X (formerly Twitter)
The BCCI selectors opted for four spinners in the Indian squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, but none of them were right-arm off-spin options. While Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are wrist spinners, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are both left-arm spinners. During the press conference held at the BCCI headquarters on Thursday, skipper Rohit Sharma was asked about that particular choice made by the selectors and his gesture in response left everyone divided. When the reporter asked if there were any off-spinners in the squad, Rohit gestured to himself to say he was an option.
Rohit has not bowled regularly for a while but he scored a hat-trick in IPL 2009.
“We discussed a lot, unfortunately Washy hasn't played much lately. It was between Ash and Axar then. That's how it was, we thought we had two left-arm spinners – Ash hasn't played the format lately. Axar was in good form when he played those five games against Australia. He has bowled well and gives us the left-handed option in the middle if we want to do something different,” said Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma raised his hand when asked about the off-spinner
pic.twitter.com/hHlvbw3auk— Nisha (@NishaRo45_) May 2, 2024
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar also hinted that Rohit might bowl off-spin.
“Hopefully the captain can roll his arm,” Agarkar said.
Agarkar also opened up about picking Hardik Pandya as vice-captain for the World Cup.
“Nothing has been discussed regarding the vice-captain. (About) form, you want all the boys to be in good form. He has come after a long year off. The good thing we have looked at is that he has withstood all the challenges.” matches so far for MI,” Agarkar told reporters when asked about the selection and appointment of the all-rounder as Rohit's deputy.
“We've still got a month and a while until the first game. We know he's doing that and the hope is he continues to build on that form.
“As long as he stays fit, we know what he brings, how much balance he gives to the team. I don't think there is a substitute for the things he can do as a cricketer at the moment, especially when it comes to football. the way he bowls,” Agarkar added.
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