Two days after the T20 World Cup squad announcement, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed journalists about the chosen members. Rinku Singh, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill were the notable absentees from the 15-member squad and Agarkar opened up on the subject. The exclusion of Rinku, who has scored 356 runs at an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.24 in T20Is for India, became a major talking point since the Indian team's announcement two days ago and has created a huge furore on social media .
“It (not picking Rinku) is probably the most difficult thing we have had to discuss. He has not done anything wrong, not even Shubman Gill. It is not his fault that he missed. It is about combinations,” Agarkar said at a press conference .
“A couple of wrist spinners have been included to give Rohit (Sharma) more options. There are two keepers, we needed an extra bowler. It's just a shame. He's in the reserves so that tells you how close he came to being in the 15 But in the end you can only choose fifteen players in the selection.”
Rinku, who is not having a great IPL season because he is not getting enough balls, has been put on the reserve list. Rinku was quickly included in the Indian T20I squad after a fantastic run in the IPL last year, but this season he has managed just 123 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 150.00.
There were also questions about Virat Kohli's strike rate. Rohit started laughing when the question was asked.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar broke into smiles when the journalist asked about Virat Kohli's strike rate. pic.twitter.com/QFqN1arkDf
— The Ajay Cric (@TheCric_AJAY) May 2, 2024
“We have not discussed Kohli's strike rate. There is a difference between IPL and international cricket. You need experience. We have enough balance and strength in the team. Watch and try to take positives from what is happening in IPL. The pressure of a World Cup match is different,” Ajit Agarkar played down criticism of Virat Kohli's strike numbers.
Kohli broke into a smile when asked about Rohit Sharma's form in T20I during the World Cup 2021. Rohit broke into a smile when asked about Virat Kohli's strike rate today.
– Two best friends in the field forever..!!!! pic.twitter.com/oxGztG87cj
– Johannes. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 2, 2024
In 2021 T20 WC – Virat Kohli was all smiles and his reactions were telling when journalists asked about Rohit Sharma's form.
In 2024 T20 WC – Rohit Sharma smiles and his reactions say it all when journalists asked about Virat Kohli's strike rate.
– THE BAND OF TWO BROTHERS. pic.twitter.com/jEXFzo0zeH
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 2, 2024
The Indian captain also explained the reason behind the lack of a specialist off-spinner, citing the fact that Washington Sundar has not been given opportunities in recent times.
“Unfortunately, Washy (Washington Sundar) hasn't been getting any chances lately. Then it was between Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) and Axar, we thought we had two left-arm spinners who were playing and doing well, and Ashwin hasn't played the format for a long time.
“Axar was just in good form from (post) the World Cup 50-overs when he played the five-match series against Australia, he was the man of the series if I'm not mistaken. We also felt that it gives us that left-handed option if we need to send the middle order to do something else,” he concluded.
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