IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma Feels Giving Opportunities To Everyone Is Important To Create Bench Strength

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma feels that giving opportunities to everyone is important to create bench strength. Rohit Sharma also added that the Indian players have to play matches across the countries throughout the year so it is important to have a bench strength.

On Monday, September 18, India announced the squad for the forthcoming India vs Australia ODI series. Notably, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were not part of the first two ODI games. As a result, KL Rahul will lead the team in the opening two games.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Aakash Chopra Leaves Out Star Indian All-Rounder Hardik Pandya From His Best XI Of Asia Cup 2023

Kuldeep Yadav, who is India’s premier spinner at the moment, will also miss the first two games. He will be back in the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI. Virat Kohli is another key player who will only play in the 3rd ODI.

If We Play Only 11 Players, We Can’t Create Bench Strength: Rohit Sharma

While announcing the India squad for the Australia series in a press conference, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma stressed the importance of giving opportunities to everyone. According to him, it helps to evade injuries and create bench strength.

“Our endeavour is to give everyone a chance. If we only play 11 through the year, then you can’t create bench strength. You can see that some other teams are facing injury problems because it also involves a lot of travelling and we have to play matches and crisscross the country,” Rohit Sharma said.

“So, we will have a lot of travelling and a lot of matches. We want to make sure that some of the guys sitting out have enough confidence by playing a few games and not like suddenly they are thrown in,” the right-handed batsman further added.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Adam Zampa And Mitchell Starc Are The Two Biggest Threats For India: Abhinav Mukund

Rohit Sharma also added that players need to be always ready to play because they can be called at any time.

“Eventually, players need to be ready and anyone can be called at any time. You need to remain strong and sportspersons need to be ready. If you are summoned, you need to perform as we have seen for years, chances do come. Bench strength is important and we always try to find a chance to give people chance,” Sharma added.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: ‘We Are Hoping…’- Ajit Agarkar Provides Update On Axar Patel’s Injury

Due to Axar Patel’s injury, Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar have been inducted into the squad for the IND vs AUS ODI series. Patel faced an injury in his quadriceps during the Asia Cup 2023. However, Patel will return to the squad in the IND vs AUS 3rd ODI in Rajkot.