India captain Rohit Sharma is confident that young Rishabh Pant will use the upcoming T20 series against West Indies as an ‘opportunity to express himself’ in the absence of the talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the absence of Kohli
Kolkata:
Even though India will be playing the T20 format, Rohit termed the three-match series as an extension of the ongoing World Cup preparation. “We cannot go into the WC with limited resources. We need to have options. This gives you a great platform to try and test all these guys,” added Rohit, laying emphasis on the bench strength. “It’s very important because the amount of cricket we play, at the same time, we got to see what our bench strength is. The players we are talking of are possible replacements to come and fill in. We have to see the guys who are knocking the door and what they bring to the table.”
India has named uncapped left-arm spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Shahbaz Nadeem. “Nadeem has come into the team for the first time, Krunal (Pandya) was part of the team, but didn’t play any games. These are the few names who have come and we got to see what they have in their armoury for us to make the best possible squad for the WC,” remarked Rohit.
Talking about captaincy, Rohit said he’s a batsman first, but enjoyed the extra responsibility even as a stand-in leader. “It has helped me overall. I have enjoyed captaincy whenever I have got an opportunity and it does bring in a sense of responsibility when you lead the side you always want to lead from the front. I do understand that more so I am a player first, then a captain. My job as a player of the squad is to go out there and do well for the team. Captaincy is something I have enjoyed for the last few years.”
Dhoni is not a part of the shortest format, presenting Pant with a golden chance to consolidate his place in the limited-overs format. Not to forget that senior pro Dinesh Karthik also gets a fresh lease of life despite a career plagued by inconsistent form. “Dhoni has been such a massive player for us over the years. His experience in the middle will be missed, but again Pant and Karthik have great opportunity to come and show what they are capable of. It gives them an opportunity to express themselves,” said Rohit.
Even though India will be playing the T20 format, Rohit termed the three-match series as an extension of the ongoing World Cup preparation. “We cannot go into the WC with limited resources. We need to have options. This gives you a great platform to try and test all these guys,” added Rohit, laying emphasis on the bench strength. “It’s very important because the amount of cricket we play, at the same time, we got to see what our bench strength is. The players we are talking of are possible replacements to come and fill in. We have to see the guys who are knocking the door and what they bring to the table.”
India has named uncapped left-arm spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Shahbaz Nadeem. “Nadeem has come into the team for the first time, Krunal (Pandya) was part of the team, but didn’t play any games. These are the few names who have come and we got to see what they have in their armoury for us to make the best possible squad for the WC,” remarked Rohit.
Talking about captaincy, Rohit said he’s a batsman first, but enjoyed the extra responsibility even as a stand-in leader. “It has helped me overall. I have enjoyed captaincy whenever I have got an opportunity and it does bring in a sense of responsibility when you lead the side you always want to lead from the front. I do understand that more so I am a player first, then a captain. My job as a player of the squad is to go out there and do well for the team. Captaincy is something I have enjoyed for the last few years.”