As the Indian Cricket Team prepare for the upcoming 50-over series against their next-door neighbours, Sri Lanka in Colombo, the India skipper, Rohit Sharma might have to make a tough call on choosing between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the starting wicketkeeper.
Speaking at the press conference ahead of the first ODI, Rohit praised both players for their match-winning abilities in their own unique way and suggested that it is a tough decision to pick between the two keeper-batters.
“It’s a tough call (wicketkeeper-batter between Rahul and Pant) to make. Both are quality players, and you know the abilities of both players. They are match-winners in their way. They have won a lot of games for us in the past,” Rohit said.
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However, Rohit looks forward to having such problems as the captain of the side which shows that there is a lot of good quality players to pick from which is an ideal situation for a captain.
“It is not easy to pick a team or a player when you have quality like that. It is always nice to have problems like that while picking up the teams, so you know that there is quality in the squad. I look forward to these kinds of problems till I am the captain,” he said smilingly.
While selection remains one side of things, Rohit also emphasised the need to give the players the freedom to play their game and it is necessary to create a conducive environment for the players.
“The most important thing is to allow the freedom to players so that they will be able to do that and it is our job to ensure that we create that environment. Yes, we have already created that environment for players to come here and play freely,” he commented.
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“So, that they do not (need to) think too much about their performance, result etc. If you are playing the game the team wants you to play, then we are more than happy,” he added.
The Indian cricket team will begin their 50-over series with their first game against Sri Lanka set to take place at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, at 2:30 PM (IST). The Indian team will have the likes of Rohit as the captain and his partner in crime, Virat Kohli as well which is something a lot of the Indian cricket fans are looking forward to.
(with PTI Inputs)
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