Indian captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday supported the decision to keep Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin out of the first Test match against Australia in Perth, saying that it was the right decision but at the same time he said that both these experienced players will not be available for the rest of the series. Can play a big role in matches. After the crushing 0-3 defeat against New Zealand at home, India took a bold decision of keeping Ashwin and Jadeja out while giving Test debut to Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy. This decision worked as both the young players made important contributions to India’s 295-run victory.
Said this on Ashwin-Rohit being out
Rohit told reporters on the eve of the second Test, “Unfortunately I was not there to give them the news that they are not playing the first match. It is always difficult to leave out experienced players like Jadeja and Ashwin, it is never It wouldn’t have been easy.” He said, “But this decision was taken on the basis of whatever was best for the team at that time and whatever the management felt was right at that time.”
Rohit said that Ashwin and Jadeja, who together have taken a total of 855 Test wickets, will play an important role in the remaining matches of the five-match series while India will be eyeing to play in the final of the World Test Championship for the third time next year. He said, “That’s what we will try to do throughout the series – whatever we feel is right at that particular time, we will do only that. But I think he will play an important role in the remaining matches of the series.”
Said this about Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar is being considered a contender to replace 38-year-old Ashwin in the future and Rohit said that this young all-rounder has the ability to perform better in different conditions around the world. Rohit said, “(He) is a very solid all-rounder. We have seen what he can do with the ball (and) the bat. He has a solid technique to play anywhere in the world and when players like him are in the team, If you are, you get confidence.”
“I just hope he stays out of harm’s way and doesn’t get injured because a player like him is always valuable to our team. (He) gives us that balance, that depth that a team always needs,” he said. “I can see his career going up from here unless some unfortunate injury happens.”
Rohit also spoke about Rana and Reddy
The Indian captain said that he did not see much of Rana and Reddy playing but he was impressed by their fighting attitude on the field. Rohit said, “It was very impressive to watch him. I have personally only heard about him and I have seen him play in a few IPL matches. Especially Nitish, have seen him play in a few T20 matches which is his “Played before coming here.”
He said, “He’s obviously got a lot of talent and in the first Test in Perth it never felt like he was playing his first match. He was a part of it right from the start and he wanted to be in that fight and he “He wanted to do everything he was asked to do.”
Rohit said that if India has to win the upcoming matches then they will need players with similar attitude. He said, “Both these players also showed excellent body language – I saw it from outside when I was at home.” Rohit said, “It felt fantastic and when you want to win big series (and) big matches, you need people like this in your team.”
“You want guys like that to come in and handle the pressure and certainly these two did that,” he said. The Indian captain said, “(He) made a very good start to his career. I can only hope that he continues to play for the team for a long time and continues to perform well.”
