Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian team management’s decision to rest Rohit Sharma for the first two T20Is against England did not go down well with former cricketer Virender Sehwag. India went on to lose the first T20I by eight wickets. The manner which the batsmen fared upset the fans along with Virender Sehwag. So much so the Nawab of Nazafgarh said he will keep his TV turned off if Rohit does not play in the next match.
“If Rohit Sharma is present, then he should be kept in the team. Public comes to see players like Rohit. I am his fan myself. If he does not play, my TV will be turned off,” Virender Sehwag told Cricbuzz in a post-match coverage.
After India captain Virat Kohli confirmed in the pre-match press conference that Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul would be opening the innings, it came as a surprise to many when he decided to rest India’s first-choice opener for “a couple of matches”. Shikhar Dhawan, a backup opener, played alongside Rahul in the 1st T20I at the Motera Stadium. But both Rahul (1 off 4) and Dhawan (4 off 12) failed to make any mark.
Despite Shreyas Iyer’s fighting 67 off 48, India could post only 124/7 after sent to bat. England chased the target in 15.3 overs with opener Jason Roy scoring 49 off 32 balls.
Sehwag questioned the team management’s strategy to drop a batsman like Rohit.
“‘Virat has said that Rohit Sharma will not play in the first two matches, but if India loses then will this strategy continue?’ Defeat makes a lot of difference to the team. If I were the captain, I would have brought my best team,” Sehwag said.
It remains to be seen if the team management stick to its decision to rest Rohit for the 2nd T20I on Sunday.