Former cricketer and member of Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) Madan Lal backed captain Virat Kohli over his comments on Rohit’s injury. On Tuesday, he said that the kind of communication that should take place between the players and staff in the team is lacking in Team India these days.
He said that Rohit Sharma should tell that if he was not fit, then why did he play for his franchise in IPL. The former cricketer’s comment came after captain Virat Kohli had spoken about Rohit’s situation and said he had no idea why Rohit was not in the flight with the rest of the team for Australia after playing in IPL.
Earlier, Team India head coach Ravi Shastri also said that if Rohit and Ishant Sharma do not board Australia’s flight in the next 4-5 days, then it will be difficult for them to play in the Test. He said that the management cannot afford to rest a player for a long time.
Former cricketer Madan Lal said that whatever Virat said in Rohit’s case is completely correct. The captain must know everything clearly because he is the one who runs the team. The captain and coach should have full knowledge of what is happening to their players.
“Whatever Virat Kohli said in his press conference that is absolutely correct, I back him for the same because clarity with the captain is a must as the leader runs the team. Both coach and captain should be aware of what is happening with their players,” former India pacer Madan Lal told ANI.
He said that only Rohit or his franchise can tell if Rohit was 70% fit, then why did he play for Mumbai Indians. At the same time, he also said that the communication level in the team should be good.
“Only Rohit or his franchise (Mumbai Indians) can answer why he played for the franchise when he was just 70 per cent fit. I think that communication in the team should be on a good level. The kind of communication which is required is not happening, there should be clarity regarding what is happening,” he added.
The Indian cricket team has been grappling with a plethora of injuries in the past few months. Speaking on the same, the 1983 World Cup-winner said that the injuries will continue to happen if the players do not undergo proper rehab.
“See, on one hand, you talk about bench strength and on the other hand you talk about injuries. If two players are not there, you think there is no team, injuries will keep on coming if players don’t undergo the proper rehab period. There are other players too who can do the job, injuries are part and parcel of the game.” Madan Lal said.
Team India has already lost the ODI series against Australia as they lost both the opening matches in Sydney. In both matches, the team missed opener batsman Rohit Sharma, who is known for providing a good start to the team.
Rohit Sharma had sustained a hamstring injury in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. This is the reason why he was initially not named in any of three formats for the tour of Australia. But after witnessing him in the last few games for Mumbai Indians, the selectors picked him for the 4-match Test series.
Rohit Sharam is currently undergoing rehabilitation National Cricket Academy (NCA), Bengaluru. However, there remain doubts over his participation in the Test series against Australia with the batsmen far from attaining match fitness yet.
