Former India off-spinner Pragyan Ojha is not happy with the BCCI’s decision to announce the vice-captain of the Indian team in limited-overs on the Australia tour in such a hurry. BCCI named KL Rahul as Virat Kohli’s deputy as regular vice-captain Rohit Sharma was not included in the touring party citing injury concerns.
Rohit has missed two games for MI in the ongoing IPL 2020, due to a hamstring injury. However, when Mumbai Indians’ Twitter showed Rohit Sharma batting in the nets, it left the fans and experts both confused.
BCCI rules state that any player who is carrying an injury cannot be considered for selection immediately. That is why they released a statement about Rohit and Ishant Sharma, saying that both players will be monitored by the board which basically means that if they recover in time then they can travel to Australia and join the Indian contingent.
However, Ojha questioned this rule as BCCI named Mayank Agarwal in all the three squads despite him also sitting out due to a hamstring injury of his own.
"I was a bit surprised because there is Mayank Agarwal as well who is injured, has a hamstring issue but he still makes it to the team. I believe Rohit Sharma will make it to all the 3 Indians teams because he will not only be the part but has the ability to dominate in Australia and can make a difference," Ojha said on Sports Today.
Ojha was further puzzled with BCCI naming KL Rahul as vice-captain in white-ball format and asked what will the board do if Rohit gets fit in time and joins the squad Down Under?
"Suddenly if you have given the vice-captaincy to KL Rahul, and Rohit comes into the team then why create that confusion? It is something very unnecessary when you’re going for a big tournament or series. Someone like Sourav Ganguly or MS Dhoni always wanted things to be very simple and clear, going into a big series like this after a big gap, you want your big players to be in their comfort zone and that is something I didn't understand,” he said.
Rohit Sharma had a very good 2019 with the bat as he started to open the innings for India and was expected to do the same in Australia as well.
"Rohit is not a rookie, he is the most important member of the team. Rohit and Virat Kohli are the pillars of this new Indian team so why to create that confusion? If you tell me Mayank is not part of the team because of a hamstring injury, I can take it. But as a cricket fan or a person who tries to read the game, it is very unlike what has happened. You could have taken some time and announced the team a little later if you are so confused about Rohit Sharma. But there is a lot of confusion,” Ojha questioned.
"Rohit is not there in any team, Mayank Agarwal is there in all 3 sides despite being injured. And the other thing is that you have given the vice-captaincy to KL Rahul, when you do certain things there are consequences. Wouldn't it be very confusing if Rohit Sharma makes it back in the team and again you will give him the vice-captaincy? It's like you are creating confusion which is not required," Ojha signed off.
