It Could Just Be A Coincidence That Rohit Sharma Will Be Unavailable For Tests And Virat Kohli For ODIs vs South Africa – Salman Butt

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has said that Rohit Sharma missing Test series against South Africa and Virat Kohli reportedly missing the ODI series of the same tour could just be a coincidence.

Indian opening batsman Rohit Sharma who was recently appointed as permanent white-ball captain and Test vice-captain of the Indian team has been ruled out of the Test series against South Africa due to hamstring injury and has been replaced by Priyank Panchal in the team, however, he is expected to return at the time of ODI series.

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Meanwhile, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the BCCI that he will not be participating in the ODI series against South Africa as he wants to spend time with his family.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Butt said that question would be raised if Kohli is opting out of the series to spend time with family.

“Questions would be raised on what is happening. Not everybody would take the reason that’s coming out, that he (Kohli) wants to be with family. I really can’t say much about it and don’t want to speculate.

“It could just be a coincidence that Rohit will be unavailable for the Test matches in South Africa and Kohli (reportedly) for the one-dayers. Having said that, if this carries on, we would soon come to know what’s going on,” he said.

India Are Likely To Miss Both Rohit and Kohli In One Series Each – Salman Butt

Butt feels that India will definitely miss Rohit and Kohli in the South Africa series. Also, he feels that the main players Kohli and Rohit not playing the series will be a big relief for South Africa.

“India are likely to miss both (Rohit and Kohli) in one series each. It will be a question mark for India to fill their places in the two series’.

“At the same time, it will be a big relief for the opposition since both are main players. Rohit’s mere presence makes a difference and it’s a big loss at the top of the order (in Tests).”

Butt further added that India have got some really talented players like Shreyas Iyer, Mayank Agarwal, and Priyank Panchal but it would be unfair to expect the youngsters to match the experience and match-winning ability of Rohit.

“India have some good youngsters. There is Shreyas Iyer and Mayank Agarwal and Priyank Panchal has an excellent domestic record.

“He (Panchal) has all the credentials but it will be unfair to expect any youngster to match Rohit Sharma’s experience and match-winning ability. Panchal recently played in South Africa (for India A). It remains to be seen how much he can benefit from that tour,” he added.

The India tour of the South Africa series is set to begin from December 26 and it will consist of three Tests and as many as ODI matches.

Also Read: It Is Like Akkad Bakkad Bambe Bo, There Is No Clarity – Aakash Chopra On Priyank Panchal Getting Picked Ahead Of Abhimanyu Easwaran

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