'Actually, we did think about...' - Rohit Sharma's big statement on Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, reveals strategy behind including Rajat Patidar

Team India under the captaincy of Rohit Sharam are set to take on England in the upcoming five-match Test Series against England, in Hyderabad.

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Mathew K
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Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara (File Photo: X)

Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara (File Photo: X)

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma finally spoke about the possibilities of a comeback for the veteran batters, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar in the Test squad of Team India. Meanwhile, Rohit also revealed the reason behind including the star Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar in the Indian squad to replace the former skipper and the modern-day batting great, Virat Kohli.

Notably, India are set to take on England in the first Test of the five-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, starting on Thursday, January 25, 2024. However, it is not still clear if Rajat Patidar will make it to the playing XI of India for the series opener against England in Hyderabad.

“Look we did think about it” – Rohit Sharma about Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara

Rohit also told reporters about the chances for the youngsters in the Indian Test squad considering the plans of the management.

“Look we did think about it (bringing back senior players). But all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That's something we thought, I thought as well,” said Rohit Sharma during the pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test against England in Hyderabad.

“Leaving out an experienced player or not considering them is very hard. The number of runs they've scored, the kind of experience they've had, and the number of games they have won for us, you know, it's very hard to ignore all of that. But, you know, you sometimes have to bring certain players into your set-up. You have to give them favourable conditions as you don't want to expose them to foreign doors, where they've never played. So, I think it's important that we try and get some of these youngsters an opportunity,” he added later.

Interestingly, India haven’t lost any Test series at home since 2012; it was the last time when they lost to England by 1-2 in a home Test series of four matches.

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