New Delhi: In the pre-match press conference, Indian captain Rohit Sharma talked about KL Rahul being stripped of the vice-captaincy and also hinted at having a green top in Ahmedabad. Going into the third Test, Rohit addresses the elephant in the room, which is the question mark on KL Rahul’s position in the playing XI with Shubman Gill warming the bench.
Talking about Rahul’s vice-captaincy, he said that it ‘indicates nothing’. He said that anyone with potential will be given enough time to prove himself and being vice-captain or not, does not tell anything. Rohit added that when Rahul was given the role of his deputy, he was one of the senior players in the team.
Snapshots from #TeamIndia‘s training session here in Indore ahead of the third Test match against Australia.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/yLmoBLxfYG
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 28, 2023
About Shubman Gill’s selection and his making it to the practice session, the captain said that it was an optional session and it is not about Gill and Rahul. He added that the playing XI has not been finalised and will be revealed at the toss. Adding on about the playing XI, in his trademark style, he said he cannot rule out last-minute injuries and that they will keep it interesting for the audience as well.
KL Rahul has managed only 38 runs in the two Tests and with Gill’s recent white-ball form, Rahul is being a scapegoat on the internet.
Rohit hinted that if India wins the Indore Test and goes 3-0 up, there might be a pace-friendly green pitch in Ahmedabad to prepare for the WTC finals in London. He added that Shardul Thakur also comes into that plan for the team, but does not know if he will be ready for it, given he recently got married.
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Rohit Sharma also attended Shardul’s wedding during the break between the second and the third Test.
Though Rohit said that he does not want to focus on the finals yet and play the given match first, he said that having neutral conditions take the home advantage out of the picture, but the teams have played a lot of cricket in England, so it won’t be any alien conditions.
The next Test match between India and Australia, in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will begin on March 1 in Indore.
