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There are reports that Rohit Sharma may be rested for a part of the upcoming West Indies tour, which starts on July 12. The tour comprises two Test matches, three ODIs and five T20Is, with the Test series being part of the New World. Test Championship Cycle (2023–25). Rohit Sharma, who captained India in the WTC final against Australia, faced criticism after the team’s massive 209-run defeat. Coach Rahul Dravid also came under the scanner for misjudging the conditions on the first day of the Test and not including top-order bowler R Ashwin in the playing XI.
Rohit Sharma’s batting form was not at its best during the Tests as he scored 15 and 43. Other than that, he had a forgettable IPL season scoring 332 runs in 16 matches at an average of 20.75. Although his team, Mumbai Indians made it to the playoffs, they lost to Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.
Rohit Sharma with his daughter – a beautiful picture. pic.twitter.com/aaAd1fPTjZ– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 15, 2023
According to an unnamed source quoted in The Times of India, the selectors are considering giving Rohit Sharma some rest during the West Indies tour. The source mentioned that Rohit looked tired during the IPL and the World Test Championship final in England. It is likely that he will miss either the Test matches or the eight-match white-ball series (three ODIs and five T20Is). The selectors will discuss the matter with Rohit before taking a call.
With the new World Test Championship cycle starting for India next month, there are growing calls for significant changes to the red-ball setup, including concerns about some senior players. Virat Kohli, who has not been in the best of form in Tests, is also likely to be rested or ruled out of the series. Similarly, the poor performance of Cheteshwar Pujara is a cause of concern. If Rohit Sharma doesn’t play in the two Tests, Ajinkya Rahane could potentially take over the captaincy on a temporary basis. Rahane had previously served as the stand-in captain when Kohli returned to India during the 2021-22 season after the first Test of the historic series in Australia, which India notably won after a humiliating defeat in the opening Test.
During the 2023 WTC final, Rahane was India’s top scorer with innings of 89 and 46. Speculation also suggests that India’s frontline seamers, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, could be rested for the red-ball series in the Caribbean.
