'You did not ask about him?' - Rohit Sharma gives befitting reply to query on his and Virat Kohli's absence from T20I series against West Indies

Team India is busy experimenting in the ongoing Caribbean tour as time is running out to finalise a strong squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. In the white ball leg against the West Indies, the seniors have been rested and the youngsters have been given first-choice selection. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were part of the three-match ODI squad - though they did not play all three matches - neither was picked for the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Indian captain Rohit recently spoke about the upcoming World Cup during a La Liga event in Mumbai, where the premier football league announced the launch of the upcoming LALIGA EA SPORTS season. Rohit, the brand ambassador of La Liga in India, while interacting with the audience, highlighted the importance of resting India's veteran players during the bilateral series.

Asked about India fielding a second-tier team against West Indies, Rohit gave a fitting reply to explain the absence of seniors, including himself. The star opener said that India's focus is on the ODI World Cup and that players cannot play in all formats of the game and be ready for the marquee event. Meanwhile, the focus shifts to him and Kohli alone, the 36-year-old mentioned that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was also left out of the T20I series.

"Last year also we did the same thing — the T20 World Cup was there, so we didn't play one-day cricket. Now also we are doing the same, the ODI World Cup is there, so we are not playing T20s. You can't play everything and be ready for the World Cup. We decided this two years ago. (Ravindra) Jadeja is also not playing T20, you did not ask about him? I understand about the focus (on himself and Virat). But Jadeja is also not playing," Rohit said.

You don't get World Cups on a platter: Rohit 

The right-handed batter said that he is eager to win the upcoming World Cup as he is yet to win a trophy in the premier 50-over tournament. Rohit was part of the team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup but failed to find a place in the 2011 ODI World Cup squad, where India became the first nation to win the Cricket World Cup on home soil.

"Honestly, I have never won a (50 overs) World Cup, it's a dream to win a World Cup and to be here fighting for it nothing makes me happier than that. You don't get World Cups on a platter, you have to really work hard and that is what we have been doing all these years from 2011 till now we all are fighting for it," he added.