Rohit said it was a difficult decision to expel a player like Shreyas Iyer but it was in the interest of the team.
Kolkata, First Published Feb 17, 2022, 8:06 PM IST
Kolkata: Indian captain Rohit Sharma explains the omission of Shreyas Iyer from the first T20I (IND vs WI) against the West Indies after being selected as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL (IPL 2022). After the first T20, Rohit said that the team expects all-round excellence from a midfielder and that is why he played Venkatesh Iyer in the final XI.
Rohit said it was a difficult decision to expel a player like Shreyas Iyer but it was in the interest of the team. An all-rounder who can bowl is looking for a midfielder. That is what the team needs. Rohit said the players, including Shreyas, would take it as a healthy match.
We have made this clear to Shreyas. The team wants to play a player who can also bowl in the midfield at the World Cup. They are all brilliant players. So they clearly know what the team needs.
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There are several factors to consider when deciding on a playing XI. Circumstances and the size of the ground and so many other factors must be considered. Those who do not make the final XI will be disappointed. But we have to make things clear to them. “Because the interest of the team is paramount,” Rohit said.
Shreyas’ faltering against short balls is also expected to be a challenge in getting a place in the final XI. The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia later this year. Shreyas will have to overcome the weakness of short balls to play on pitches with pace and bounce in Australia.
During training in Kolkata, Shreyas was seen advising Rohit on playing shortball. After this, just before the first match, Shreyas trained with the team’s down specialist Raghavendra in shortball.
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Prior to the match, Rohit had said that Kolkata’s Shreyas had been included in the squad for Rs 12.25 crore in last week’s IPL trophy.
Last Updated Feb 17, 2022, 8:06 PM IST
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