Team India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the press conference for T20 World Cup 2024 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday.
As soon as the 15-member Team India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 was announced, there were questions asked around wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul’s snub and the inclusion of Rinku Singh, who was touted as the finisher for the side till the Afghanistan series earlier this year, only as a reserved player.
“KL’s a terrific player. But we wanted players who can bat in the middle. KL’s batting at top right now (for his IPL team). We felt these two are better equipped at this point in the latter half of the innings,” Agarka said on selection for wicketkeeper and ignoring Kl Rahul.
“It’s probably the toughest thing we have had to discuss. He has done nothing wrong, not even Shubman Gill for that better. It’s about combinations. There are a couple of wrist spinners included to give Rohit more options. It’s just unfortunate. He’s in the reserves, so that tells you how close he came into being in the 15. But at the end of the day you can only pick 15 players in the squad,” Agarkar on Rinku Singh snub.
The chief selector also spoke about the criteria for Team India selection for the marquee event. He also clarified that the decision to allow Rohit to lead the side for the marquee event was not forced.
“Generally as selectors you want a leader. Rohit has been a terrific leader – six months between last World Cup and this. Hardik was captain before that but Rohit’s form during the World Cup… Rohit is a great player. It’s not like it’s forced upon us,” Agarkar on Team selection.
“I will answer that. In the past, whichever format happens, we give priority to that. Us being where we are, a lot of players were given breaks (based on the format team was playing). That was discussed as a selection committee group, coaches and players as well. Ajit came later into the picture and probably did not know earlier meetings about who should be rested and who shoudn’t,” Rohit Sharma adds.