Last Update: February 28, 2023, 15:05 IST
Rohit Sharma (left) and Shardul Thakur. (Agencies)
Rohit Sharma Hints At Using Ahmedabad Test If India Strikes Indore Deal As Dress Rehearsal For WTC Final Later This Year; Revealed that seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur is part of the plan
Shubman Gill? KL Rahul? who will open This was the question on everyone’s mind when Rohit Sharma sat for the pre-match presser at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The Indian skipper entered the “optional” practice session this morning and batted for a long time. Gill was with him in the adjacent net.
A good buzz rocked the press box and most felt reassured.
,Ye hi khel raha hai (He’s definitely playing),’ was the popular sentiment all around.
Gill validated the mood and emotion as he put on another, excuse me for repeating this too many times, masterclass with the bat. Pure class coupled with precise footwork, fast hands and excellent judgment of length. Let us not go deep into the matter now as Rohit died during the presser debate. Most, including you, were looking for hints in the press releases and net sessions, but Rohit continued to keep the cards close to his chest.
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“Being vice-captain or not being vice-captain doesn’t indicate or tell you anything. All 17-18 are in the count, it is not just about Gill or anyone else. I like to announce the XI at the toss, it will be interesting for you guys too (laughs),” Rohit prepared another classic dish before moving on to the bigger picture that he has his eye on.
If India After being successful in defeating Australia in this test, he will ensure a place in the final. World The Test Championship is scheduled to begin on June 7 at The Oval in England. With India not playing Tests after the Ahmedabad match, Rohit hinted at the possibility of using that match as a dress-rehearsal for the title clash later this year.
“Definitely it is a possibility. We have already spoken about it. We need to prepare the players for it as well.”
Shardul’s disclosure
The Indian skipper also revealed that Shardul Thakur is in the plans for that WTC final. With the seamer being favored in England, India could possibly strengthen the pace department and Shardul brings both bat and ball to the table.
“Important is Shardul Thakur because he comes into that plan for us. I don’t know how ready he is… knowing that he just got married yesterday. How many overs has he bowled? That thought process definitely is. If we keep doing what we do here and get the results we want, then we can definitely think of doing something different in Ahmedabad.
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India lead the series 2-0 and a win in the Indore Test will give them the freedom to try different things – a seamer-friendly surface, different combinations and different players. The team management have of course locked The Oval as their target but are also mindful of the existing job opening on March 1.
wary of fall, panic
Speaking on Australia’s collapse in the second innings of the Delhi Test, Rohit said the pitches were challenging and not easy to bat on. He also spoke at length about his Nagpur century and insisted that he never felt himself on that surface even after playing so many balls.
“You are never on these kind of pitches. Not only him, us too. We can’t take anything for granted when we bat.”
Collapse or not, there is a lot at stake for both sides. India are one win away from making it to the final of the World Test Championship and Australia will look to use these fixtures to gain momentum for their side before the two sides potentially meet again in June. If this happens then who goes to bat with Rohit in the WTC final? This question can be answered tomorrow in the toss.
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