'Unko khila ke koi matlab nahi hai' - India skipper Rohit Sharma indirectly schools players prioritizing IPL over Test Cricket

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma delivered a straightforward message to aspiring youngsters, emphasising the essential hunger for Test cricket. Amid the Indian Cricket Board's initiative to ensure the participation of players in domestic matches, instances like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer abstaining from Ranji Trophy games have stirred discussions.

Following India's triumph over England in Ranchi, Rohit made it unmistakable that opportunities would be granted only to those with a fervent desire to excel. "Jin logon ko bhookh hai, hum unhi logon ko mauka denge (We will give opportunities to only those who are hungry)," he stated, underscoring the team management's reluctance to accommodate players lacking the hunger for success.

"If there's no hunger, there's no point in playing those players," Rohit affirmed, addressing the recent directive from the Board. It instructed players like Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer to participate in Ranji Trophy matches—a directive disregarded by the duo.

In evaluating the team, Rohit expressed confidence in the hunger displayed by the players, emphasizing the scarcity of opportunities in Test cricket. He stressed the importance of utilising the limited chances, underscoring the competitive nature of the format.

"I don't see anyone on the team here who is not hungry. All the boys who are here, as well as those who are not, want to play. But the thing with Test cricket is that you get very few opportunities. If you don't utilise them, they go away," he asserted.

“It's been a very hard-fought series,"  says Rohit Sharma

Reflecting on the young talents in the Indian team, Rohit Sharma commended their composure. He also clarified that more than frequent advice, they require a supportive environment to thrive. The skipper praised Dhruv Jurel's impactful performance in the second Test, where the wicketkeeper-batter played a crucial role in both innings.

"It's been a very hard-fought series, so to come on the right side of it feels very good. A lot of challenges were thrown at us, but we responded and were quite composed. These (youngsters) guys want to be here, growing up on the domestic and local club- circuit, and coming here," said Rohit.

"It's a big challenge, but the responses I get are encouraging. We have to give them the environment they want to be in; we can't just keep talking to them; they are very clear about what they want to do," he added. It’s worth noting that India will face England in the series' last game at Dharmshala on March 7th, 2024.