IND vs AUS: Ajit Agarkar Reveals Reason Behind Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Being Rested For First 2 ODIs vs Australia

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed the real reason behind captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli being rested for the first two ODIs of the upcoming series against Australia.

On Monday, September 18, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against the Australia National Cricket Team.

The two of the biggest talking points coming out of the announcement were the return of Ravichandran Ashwin and the rest given to Rohit, Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, and Hardik Pandya for the first two matches.

When asked about the decision to rest players, Ajit Agarkar said that they wanted to give a mental break to some players.

“Few of the players have been given a breather. Rohit has taken a break.”

“Luckily we got a fair amount of cricket at the Asia Cup,” Agarkar said. “If not, we would’ve looked at it some other way. More than physical, sometimes guys need a mental break, which isn’t a bad thing leading into a tournament like the World Cup.”

For the third game, everyone will be available – Ajit Agarkar opens up on resting Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli

Agarkar further mentioned that a full-strength squad will participate in the third ODI and the squad for the first two games will allow them to give chances to some players.

“For the third game, everyone will be available. We will play our World Cup squad. This [squad for the first two ODIs] gives us a chance to give guys sitting outside a chance. It’s still a strong squad. Like I said, if we hadn’t got a lot of cricket at the Asia Cup, who knows, we may have thought differently,” he said.

While talking about the spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar, the chief selector said:

“We’re hoping Axar will be fit. Washy was already part of the squad for the final. Ashwin brings experience, so it gives us options in case there is a need at some stage for us to look at those guys.”

Ashwin’s inclusion was made possible in the squad after Axar Patel suffered a left quadriceps strain during the Asia Cup 2023 game against Bangladesh. Ashwin will have an opportunity to make his case strong for the World Cup by performing well in the Australia ODIs.

Squad for the 1st two ODIs: KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Squad for the 3rd & final ODI: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj