Rohit Sharma hints towards Ashwin and provides the starting XI for Australia’s World Cup match by saying, “Don’t really consider Hardik”
Indian captain Rohit Sharma is fully aware of the choices available to Team India to field a winning playing XI in the ICC World Cup, the biggest platform of them all. The veteran Indian opener has returned for his third One Day International (ODI) pinnacle event as the captain of the Men In Blue after being dropped from India’s World Cup-winning side the previous time the Asian giants hosted the 50-over extravaganza.
At the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, Rohit and company will begin India’s campaign for a third ODI World Cup victory by facing off against Australia. On the day of India’s World Cup debut against the five-time winners, Rohit explained to media that the in-form Shubman Gill is still expected to play in the fifth encounter between the two heavyweights.
India is able to field three spinners.
The Indian skipper responded to multiple clamoring inquiries by stating that the Rahul Dravid-coached team is willing to use Ravichandran Ashwin at the Chepauk. Rohit acknowledged that India can afford to field three spinners in their matchup with Australia, specifically mentioning all-arounder Hardik Pandya. “Yeah, I guess that’s the luxury we have, since I don’t really think of Hardik Pandya as simply a seamer, that we can afford to play three spinners. Hardik is a legitimate fast bowler with excellent acceleration. That thus provides us a benefit. As a result, we have the luxury of using three spinners and three seamers simultaneously. So, there’s a chance of it, Rohit stated during the news conference before to the game.
Why it matters to Men In Blue
India has landed in Chennai for its World Cup debut after both of its pre-tournament games—in Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati—were called off without a ball being played. Team India is aiming to make history by being the first team to win the ICC World Cup twice as the host nation under Rohit’s direction. The last time the Men in Blue claimed the ODI World Cup was in 2011. Interestingly, Rohit also said that throughout their World Cup campaign, India would not likely make many significant changes to their starting lineup.
Rohit provides a draft of India’s starting lineup.
“We definitely want to be a team that plays its best 11 players, but you can choose your best 11 depending on the circumstances.” You need to insert those slower bowlers where there is some help available for them. Consequently, the team’s key members will not change. You will continue to use players 8, 9, and 10. There may be one or two adjustments here and there, which you must be prepared to accept, deal with, and move through, Rohit said.
