IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma explains why Patidar was preferred over Rahane and Pujara as Kohli's replacement

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs ENG: India captain Rohit Sharma has revealed the reason why Rajat Patidar was preferred over Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane as replacement for Virat Kohli for the first two Tests against England.

After Kohli opted out of the first two Test matches due to personal reasons, Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar was picked as his replacement. Pujara, who started his Ranji Trophy 2023-24 campaign with a double hundred, was in contention, but was overlooked alongside Rahane.

Rohit Sharma said that Pujara and Rahane were considered but Patidar was given the opportunity to prepare him for Test cricket outside India.

"Look, actually, we did think about it (going back to a senior player). But all these younger players, when are they going to get their opportunity? That's something we thought, I thought as well," Rohit said during his pre-match press conference.

"But, you know, you sometimes have to bring certain players into your set-up as well. You have to give them favourable conditions as you don't want to expose them on foreign doors, where they've not played before. So, I think it's important that we try and get some of these youngsters an opportunity," said Rohit.

"Having said that, I think it's important to look at some of the other players as well. We don't want to end up in a place where we've got you know, out of 11 guys seven or eight guys who have barely played 25 Test matches between them. So, it's important that whenever you have the opportunity, give them some game time," said Rohit.

Doors not closed for Pujara and Rahane: Rohit Sharma

Further, the 36-year-old sympathised with the exclusion of his long-term teammates Pujara and Rahane, but asserted that doors are still not closed for the duo who carry an experience of 188 Test matches together.

"Leaving out an experienced player or not considering them is very hard. The amount of runs they've scored, the kind of experience they've had, the amount of games they have won for us, you know, it's very hard to ignore all of that," the skipper had all empathy for his longtime teammates.

"By no means, the doors are closed for anyone, you know, as long as they stay fit and keep scoring runs. Anyone will be welcomed back into the setup," said the Mumbaikar.