Ajit Agarkar explains why KL Rahul was dropped from the World Cup squad. Says it has nothing to do with the form or quality of KL Rahul. Team India’s selector Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma answered questions of the media on Thursday regarding their selection of players for the upcoming marquee event.
Agarkar explained why they had to drop KL Rahul and pick Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson over him at the press conference. Just like Rohit and Kohli, KL Rahul did not play any T20 internationals after the 2022 World Cup. But he was is in the reckoning after his wonderful start to the 2024 Indian Premier League season.
KL Rahul has scored 406 runs in 10 matches until now with an average of 40.60 and a strike rate of 142.6 which is remarkable. KL Rahul has done a decent job leading his franchise this year as they sit in third position currently in the points table. Ajit Agarkar clarified that they were looking at a middle-order batter for the wicket-keeping role.
KL Rahul is a terrific player but….- Ajit Agarkar
Team India is all set in the opening position and needs a middle-order batsman as a wicketkeeper. Ajit Agarkar speaking in the press conference said :
“KL is a terrific player, we all know that. The thing we were obviously looking at is guys who are batting in the middle. At the moment, KL is batting at the top. We feel Sanju has the ability to come down the order, if need be. Rishabh is batting at No.5 for Delhi, so that was more the thinking. It was not whether KL Rahul is better or these guys are better, it is about the slots that we needed and these two are better equipped at this point,”
There was a lot of speculation about who would led Team India in the World Cup. Ajit Agarkar said:
“Generally, as a selector, you want a leader, and Rohit has been a terrific leader. There are hardly six months between the T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup, I know Hardik led a few series before, but Rohit’s form in the World Cup, coupled with how much time we have, you want to try and start planning. Rohit’s a great player, it is not like it is forced upon us to choose him,” Agarkar said of Rohit Sharma.
Ajit Agarkar also spoke about how the IPL performances impacted the selections.
“I think we have had our conversations for the last few months anyway, so you have a fair idea of what you are looking for. Of course there are some great performances in the IPL that you keep track of, then there is fitness levels of players. But, if you start getting swayed by three or four weeks of cricket, then there is something wrong in your thinking. We were pretty clear with what we wanted to do,” Agarkar stated.
However many star performing players in this IPL were ignored and the one’s who have done well in the Indian colors before are trusted to perform.
Hardik Pandya is irreplaceable as a cricketer as of now- Ajit Agarkar
Another major talking point in the press conference was the role of All-rounder Hardik Pandya in upcoming world cup. Ajit Agarkar said :
“I think he has come after a longish layoff, the good part that we have looked at is – he has got through all of the games so far for MI. As long as he stays fit, we know what he brings, how much balance he gives the team. I don’t think there is a replacement for the things he can do as a cricketer at the moment,” Agarkar said.
“Specially, when it comes to the way he bowls. Really gives balance to the side. I think he will give Rohit options to play different combinations. So, his fitness for us is critical and so far, fortunately, he has gone okay in the IPL,” Agarkar added.
Shivam Dube is one cricketer who has been in the ranks as Hardik Pnadya’s replacement in the longer run. But captain Rohit Sharma spoke about the disappointment of him not bowling. He said:
“Unfortunately, Shivam has not bowled a single over in the IPL, but he is a seasoned cricketer, who bowls a lot of overs in red-ball cricket. So, he knows how to bowl, it’s just that when he plays the T20 format, it is just a little bit of skills coming into the picture. If we need Shivam to bowl a few overs, he will be bowling a few overs,” Team India skipper Rohit Sharma asserted.
Dube bowled against Punjab Kings and picked up the wicket of Jonny Bairstow, Team India hopes that Dube will get more overs to bowl in the upcoming matches.
Also Read : https://goworldwide.co.in/ipl-2024-4-mumbai-indians-players-in-wc-squad/