Only Rohit Sharma Or Mumbai Indians Can Answer Why He Played For The Franchise When He Was Just 70 Percent Fit: Madan Lal

Former Indian cricketer and the current member of ‘Cricket Advisory Committee’ Madan Lal feels that the communication level between the players and the team management at the senior level is not taking place in the manner that it should.

Madan Lal made these comments in the wake of the Rohit Sharma injury fiasco, one that once again exposed the total lack of communication between players, team management, and the BCCI. Rohit Sharma played the last few games for his franchise Mumbai Indians despite being advised a two-week rest and then flew to India post the competition instead of traveling with the Indian team.

Virat Kohli, during the pre-series press-conference, said that Rohit’s injury is ‘not ideal’ and that there has been a lack of communication on the same by the BCCI. However, the BCCI released a statement on the same night where it clarified that Rohit had traveled to India in order to be with his ailing father, who is down with Covid.

Madan Lal has come out in full support of what Virat Kohli said, adding that only Rohit Sharma and the Mumbai Indians can explain why he chose to continue playing despite being 70 percent fit.

“Whatever Virat Kohli said in his press conference that is absolutely correct, I back him for the same because clarity with the captain is a must as the leader runs the team. Both coach and captain should be aware of what is happening with their players. Only Rohit or his franchise (Mumbai Indians) can answer why he played for the franchise when he was just 70 per cent fit. I think that the communication in the team should be on a good level. The kind of communication which is required is not happening, there should be clarity regarding what is happening,” Madan Lal told ANI.

The Indian cricket team has been grappling with a plethora of injuries in the past 8-10 months. Commenting on the same, the 1983 World Cup-winner said that the injuries will continue to happen if the players do not undergo proper rehab.

“See, on one hand, you talk about bench strength and on the other hand you talk about injuries. If two players are not there, you think there is no team, injuries will keep on coming if players don’t undergo the proper rehab period. There are other players too who can do the job, injuries are part and parcel of the game.” Madan Lal reckoned.

 

“Wicket-to-wicket bowling should be done in my point of view”- Madan Lal

Indian bowling has come for a lot of punishment in the first two ODIs. The Men in Blue have ended up contributing two of the highest totals [374 and 389] ever scored by any side against them and one of the major reasons behind it has been the fast bowler’s inability to take wickets in the first powerplay.

Madan Lal echoed the same while adding that bowling ‘wicket-to-wicket’ should be the way forward for the Indian bowlers, especially on such placid tracks. He lauded India’s batting but added that the fielding has way below par and on such tracks, the fielders need to contribute heavily to make life easy for their bowlers.

“Our bowling did not click and if you do not get early wickets, there are chances that opposition will get a high score on the board. Due to the wicket conditions in Australia, if you don’t get breakthroughs, the spinners will also struggle in the middle. Last time, there were no David Warner and Steve Smith in the team and these two are the world’s top batters and when top players come into the squad, it changes the scenario. In batting, we did well but chasing a big total is a bit tough, and when you try to attack chances of losing wickets become high,” Madan Lal said

“Wicket-to-wicket bowling should be done in my point of view but at this time, the problem is that Indian bowlers are struggling to take wickets early on. We are also not fielding well and that is not ideal as the bowlers always need the support of their fielders,” he added.

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