'There Is Lot Of Uncertainty..,' Rohit Sharma On Unavailability Of Big Players
Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma (AP News)
In a series marked by impressive performances, team India finds itself in a state of flux as they prepare for the final One Day International (ODI) against Australia in Rajkot. Rested key players, injuries, and personal reasons have all contributed to a challenging situation for the Indian cricket team as they aim to seal a clean sweep in the series. With their sights set on the upcoming World Cup, captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the importance of maintaining good form and health among the players.
The Indian squad for the third ODI has witnessed significant changes. Captain Rohit Sharma, who was rested for the first two ODIs, has returned to lead the side in the series finale. Joining him are the familiar faces of Virat Kohli and Kuldeep Yadav, adding depth and experience to the team.
However, several notable players will be absent from the lineup. Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, and Axar Patel have all been ruled out for various reasons.
Here's what Rohit said
“Currently, we have only 13 players to choose from. Gill has been rested. Shami and Hardik have gone home for personal reasons. And Axar is not available too. Also, some of the players have been hit by viral. So, there is a lot of uncertainty in the team at this point in time which we cannot help. But in the next few weeks, it’s very important to look after the players and their well-being. So, it’s good for them to be at home and return afresh for the World Cup.”
India's performance in the series has been nothing short of exceptional, with the team taking a commanding 2-0 lead. They have outplayed Australia in both fixtures, displaying their prowess in both batting and bowling. Rohit Sharma expressed his hope that all players remain in good form and health as the team looks ahead to the World Cup.
One player whose availability remains uncertain is Axar Patel, who is yet to recover from an injury sustained ahead of the Asia Cup final. The team has until the 27th to finalize their World Cup squad, and they are keeping their fingers crossed that Axar's recovery progresses smoothly.
Captain Rohit Sharma addressed the challenges the team is currently facing during a pre-match press conference in Rajkot. He revealed that the squad size for the final ODI has been reduced to just 13 players due to various factors.
Shubman Gill has been rested, while Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya have returned home for personal reasons. Additionally, Axar Patel's unavailability due to injury further complicates the selection process. To add to the woes, some players have been hit by a viral infection, leaving the team in a state of uncertainty.
Rohit Sharma acknowledged the importance of looking after the players' well-being, especially considering the busy schedule leading up to the World Cup. He emphasized the need for the players to spend time at home and return to the squad refreshed and rejuvenated for the upcoming tournament.
As India faces these challenges in the lead-up to the World Cup, the team's management will undoubtedly be working tirelessly to ensure that the best possible squad is assembled. The performances of the players in the ongoing series against Australia will play a crucial role in shaping the final World Cup squad.
India's preparations for the final ODI against Australia have been marred by the absence of key players due to injuries, rest, and personal reasons. Captain Rohit Sharma is hopeful that the squad can maintain their form and fitness as they look ahead to the World Cup 2023.
With uncertainty surrounding player availability, the team's management faces a daunting task in finalizing the squad that will represent India in the upcoming tournament. Fans of Indian cricket will be eagerly watching to see how the team performs in the series finale and how the squad shapes up for the World Cup.
 "Muskaan Bhatt")
