Indian head coach Rahul Dravid recently spoke about the reason behind resting skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the first two ODIs against Australia.
India take on Australia for a three-match ODI series with both Rohit and Kohli rested. Also rested from the first two games are Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav after India’s victorious Asia Cup campaign.
The selectors announced the Indian squad for the first two Australia ODIs with Rohit and Kohli rested. The decision has divided the opinion of Indian cricket fans and experts. Meanwhile, Dravid while addressing the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI explained the rationale behind the decision.
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Team Wants Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Fresh For World Cup: Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid said, “The team wants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fresh both physically and mentally for the World Cup hence they were rested for the first two ODIs”. pic.twitter.com/IiykEdVnRv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 21, 2023
“The team wants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fresh both physically and mentally for the World Cup hence they were rested for the first two ODIs,” said Dravid.
KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the first two games with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested. Kuldeep Yadav is also rested for the first two games. Ravichandran Ashwin has been recalled into the side in the absence of Axar Patel who is missing the first two games due to an injury. Washington Sundat retains his place in the Asia Cup 2023 final.
The focus will be on a few other players namely Shreyas Iyerm Suryakumar Yadav and Mohd Siraj. Iyer played just one game in the Asia Cup but still was retained in the side for the Australis series. With Hardik Pandya not there, SKY is expected to get at least two games and for Siraj, the hope will be he replicates his Asia Cup final performance.
So far the two teams have played 146 ODIs with Australia winning 82 and India 54 matches. In India, out of 67 matches, the Aussies have won 32 games while Team India 30. Five matches ended with no result.
India face off against Australia on October 8 in Chennai to kick off their World Cup campaign. Ahead of that big game, this ODI series would give both teams a chance to look at each other. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram though said that this is an unnecessary series ahead of the World Cup.
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