IND vs WI: "Bizarre Decision" - Fans Blast Rahul Dravid For Resting Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli In 2nd ODI

Fans on Twitter were furious at Rahul Dravid after the Indian team management decided to rest the senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the second ODI of the three-match series against Shai Hope-led West Indies National Cricket Team at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, July 29.

India’s vice-captain Hardik Pandya came out for the toss in the match, which surprised many. The all-rounder informed that Rohit and Kohli “have been playing constant cricket and few questions need to be answered,” so they are resting in the game.

Also Read: IND vs WI: Not Playing…! RP Singh Reveals Reasons Behind Lack Of Quality Indian Pacers

Rohit Sharma and Kohli were also demoted in the batting order in the first ODI at the same venue. Rohit Sharma gave his opening spot to Ishan Kishan while Kohli gave his No.3 spot to Suryakumar Yadav.

After bundling out West Indies for 114 in the first ODI, the Men In Blue didn’t look comfortable during the run-chase, but somehow they managed to cross the finish line to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Ishan Kishan was the only batter who hit a half-century in the first ODI and all the other batters failed to play good innings. Rohit Sharma was forced to walk in to bat at No.7 and he took India home as Kohli didn’t have to come in the middle.

Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023: RP Singh Backs Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav’s World Cup Selection

Twitter Reacts As Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Get Rested For 2nd ODI

The decision to rest the modern-day batting greats didn’t go down well with the fans. The fans questioned the decision while pointing out that the duo will also not feature in the forthcoming T20I series. Some also slammed head coach Rahul Dravid and labeled the decision as a bizarre one.

Notably, since 2021 Rohit Sharma has missed as many as 21 ODI games for India National Cricket Team while Virat Kohli has missed 17 50-over matches.

Also Read: IND vs WI: “Big Question In That Batting Order”- Aakash Chopra On Ishan Kishan Opening The Batting In First ODI

Absolutely beyond me to see Rohit and Virat resting…just two matches before the Asia Cup and then the World Cup…both of them nowhere close to their best…. What is that you are trying to gain…Rahul Dravid is scaring me rt now…play your best eleven now…r u preparing fr…

— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) July 29, 2023

What is the point of resting Rohit and Virat in the 2nd ODI? They are being rested from several series in the T20I team. The players who are being given a chance in this ODI series, I don't think they will get a chance in the WC after the main players are fit.#INDvsWI

— Anunay (@Anunay_Aanand) July 29, 2023

@BCCI #RahulDravid have you guys lost ? Make sure top 3 Gill/Ishan, Rohit & Kohli make some runs or stay in form. Last match you should have played first and gave some match time to Rohit & Virat then you could have rested them for next matches. What kind of preparation is this ?

— Virat Admirador (@virat_admirador) July 29, 2023

Sir.. what's the point of picking Rohit and Virat if they are rested for 1 match in 3 match series in the name of rest
They got 1 month rest after WTC final and they will again rest for 1 month after 3rd odi before Pak match in Asia Cup Sep 2 . what do u think??@C4CRICVENKATESH

— R.Tanish (@raavi_tanish) July 29, 2023

I don’t understand what’s this approach being followed leading to the worldcup.

Firstly you change the batting order In small run chase which didn’t workout at all.
Now you drop the 2 main players in this match to give a chance to others.

Virat and Rohit won’t play t20is…

— Rahul Varma (@urscoolrahul) July 29, 2023

Playing 2 Tests and fielding in 1 ODI after a break of 1 month is "constant cricket"?!

This management is making a mockery of the ICT, to say the least. They already had another 1-month break after 2 ODIs. Isn't that enough for Rohit & Virat?

It's the WC year, ffs! #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/kghpHA5IBJ

— Khush Thakkar (@Khush_Thakkar12) July 29, 2023

I'm not confident for the World Cup. In white ball cricket other teams will anyways feel comfortable playing in India. Many players have had exposure through IPL which mitigates our home advantage. Plus barring Virat and Rohit I've no faith in our batting order.

— G⚡️ᴶᴬᵂᴬᴺ (@gurdeep0701) July 29, 2023

'#RohitSharma & #ViratKohli has been rested'-Framing these two names together in single sentence is an agenda itself! Rohit's career is at the verge of ending already. Dirty politics! Agenda peddler Dravid & Rohit are trying to ruin Virat's career as well! #ViratKohli? #INDvsWI

— Sahil Dhiman (@dh_sahil) July 29, 2023

Ishan is your 2nd choice WK after Rahul, Rahul bats at 5. What is the logic behind Ishan opening in 1st ODI? ??‍♂️

There’s a month in between WI ODI’s and Asia Cup. What is the logic behind resting Virat and Rohit? ??‍♂️

Current Team management is killing Indian Cricket!#WIvIND

— Ransai (@iam_ransai) July 29, 2023

Just why is #Dravid so hell-bent on messing it up. Or does he and the team management has the WC XV so ready that they don't care what happens in matches before that?

— Amit (@nottheamit) July 29, 2023

Surprised with Rohit and Virat resting today #IndvWI

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) July 29, 2023

Rohit & Virat Not Playing

Bizarre Decision

— Vaibhav Bhola ?? (@VibhuBhola) July 29, 2023

Since 2021

Rohit missed 21 ODI matches
Kohli missed 17 ODI matches#INDvsWI

— ?????? (@Shebas_10dulkar) July 29, 2023

Not quite sure why would you want to rest your best player just a couple of matches ahead of the Asia Cup, and with World Cup around the corner. ODI cricket is the format Virat Kohli should be playing as much as possible, he needs to get to 50 ODI hundreds and 13,000 ODI runs for…

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) July 29, 2023