If required, selectors need to have hard talks with Rohit, Virat and Rahul: Indian captain Rohit Sharma, former captain Virat Kohli and senior opener batter KL Rahul have been India’s three of the most crucial pillars in international cricket. The trio have singlehandedly demolished several oppositions in the past and won games for India. However, things are not the same anymore.
Once feared batters, Rohit, Virat and Rahul, are now under scrutiny for their consistent poor scores in the international cricket. KL Rahul, the LSG skipper, had a good IPL season, but the other two had a forgettable outing in the IPL 2022.
Young batters Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad opened for India in the recently concluded India vs South Africa series and both the batters did well to provide a strong launchpad. The two aforementioned are expected to open in the upcoming series against Ireland, but despite that, they won’t get a place in the Indian team in the presence of Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul.
Saba Karim, the former Indian wicketkeeper and former member of the Indian selection committee, says that although Rohit, Virat and Rahul are indispensable in the Indian cricket, the selectors shouldn’t shy away from having hard conversations with them if they are unable to produce results according to the team’s need.
“A tough call for the selectors. At this stage, I’m sure all three of them (Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul) will walk into the XI,” Saba Karim said.
“If such criticism is being levelled at them, it is up to them to find a solution so that they emerge in a much better manner. And if it’s not happening then the team management or selectors need to have hard conversations with the individuals involved because there is stiff competition coming through. The players whom you have named enough experience to make the required changes in their batting so that it is beneficial for the national side. I’m sure they understand the needs of modern T20 batting,” he added.
Notably, while Virat Kohli is unable to bring up his century since 2019, Rohit hasn’t had a great time in the recent past. Though Rohit has been scoring runs in patches for India, his consistency is still under the scanner.