'We have to phase out Rohit gradually' - Bold Statement From Senior Board Official Regarding Team India’s Future

Rohit Sharma and his men are currently busy playing the ongoing 20-20 World Cup 2022. So far, India have managed to win two out of three games in the tournament. However, earlier reports are there that senior players will be told to step out from the shortest format of the game after the World Cup.

Even, several reports were there that Rohit Sharma might not continue as captain after the 50-over World Cup in 2023 in India. Now, a senior official of the Indian Cricket Board came up and made a huge statement on team India’s future. He also opened up about the future of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

“We have to phase out Rohit gradually” - Senior official of the Indian Cricket Board about Rohit Sharma and the future of team India

While speaking to InsideSport, the senior official said: “It’s not that they will be forced to quit one format. But one has to understand that they are in their mid-30s and are two very crucial players for India. They need to be rotated and rested constantly for big series and major tournaments. But one cannot rotate a captain too many times. Since T20s will not be in focus, we have to phase out Rohit gradually when someone like Hardik, KL, or Rishabh is ready to take the charge.”

Then, he added: ““Hardik and Rishabh have both done well as captains. Both are captains in the Indian T20 League and have plenty of time to prove themselves. Hardik has already proven in the Indian T20 League. But there is KL too and he is also learning with Rohit and Virat around. But all these talks about the change in captaincy will be done only after 2023 WC.”

“The selection committee has started this transition phase consciously as T20Is are not a priority in the year 2023. ODIs are and so some players in certain slots could be tried out and seen if they are fitting in those slots. T20Is again become important in 2024 in World T20 year,” the senior official concluded.