ICC World Cup 2023: Gary Kirsten Wanted Rohit Sharma In 2011 World Cup Team But MS Dhoni Was Against It, Reveals Ex-Selector Raja Venkat

Former India selector Raja Venkat has revealed MS Dhoni was the reason Rohit Sharma failed to make it to the India squad for the 2011 World Cup. Rohit Sharma‘s non-inclusion was a big surprise as India decided to drop the talented batsman for the marquee event at home.

Rohit Sharma had made his debut for India in 2007 and played a key role in the team’s march to glory at the 2007 T20 World Cup. He was also instrumental in India’s historic victory in the tri-series in Australia in 2008. In 2010, he had also scored back-to-back hundreds in the ODIs.

He, however, could not make it to the squad for the World Cup. Following the snub, he had also famously posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), making it clear that he was disappointed. Rohit Sharma had called the World Cup snub a big setback.

Really really disappointed of not being the part of the WC squad..I need to move on frm here..but honestly it was a big setback..any views!

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 31, 2011

Raja Venkat reveals why Rohit Sharma did not make the cut:

More than a decade after picking India’s squad for the World Cup in 2011, Raja Venkat has revealed that MS Dhoni did not want Rohit Sharma in the team. The former selector has revealed that the former India captain wanted Piyush Chawla instead of the batsman in his team. He also disclosed that while MS Dhoni was against Rohit Sharma’s inclusion, coach Gary Kirsten wanted the batsman in the squad.

“When we sat to select the team, Rohit was very much in the scheme of things,” Venkat told RevSportz. “So when we were selecting the team, from 1-14, everything was accepted. [For] No. 15, we suggested the name of Rohit Sharma.

“Gary Kirsten felt it was a perfect selection but again, the captain wanted a change there. He wanted Piyush Chawla instead of Rohit Sharma. So immediately Gary Kirsten somersaulted and he said, ‘No, I think that’s the better choice.’ So that’s how Rohit Sharma got left out,” he added.

Speaking further, Venkat stated that he and his fellow selectors did not get a chance to talk to Rohit after not including him in the World Cup squad.

“No, we didn’t get a chance to talk to him but we were also disappointed we couldn’t select him. We selected the 14 which was unanimous and the 15th one, when the captain and coach wanted it so we thought to let them have it the way they want,” he said.

Well, two years after the World Cup snub, Rohit Sharma’s career took a huge turn thanks to MS Dhoni. The former India skipper promoted him as an opener in 2013 and the right-handed batsman has not looked back since then. As of now, he is one of the best batsmen in the world and is currently India’s captain across formats. Rohit will have a chance to replicate Dhoni’s feat when he leads India in the upcoming World Cup at home.