'Can't have a captain who..': Gavaskar wants Rohit to keep aside his family commitments in World Cup year

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After Australia defeated India by 21 runs to clinch the 3-match ODI series 2-1 in Chennai on Wednesday, batting great Sunil Gavaskar has appealed for a continuity as leader from Rohit Sharma.

Notably, Rohit missed the first ODI at Wankhede Stadium due to family commitments as Hardik Pandya led Team India.

Gavaskar has reckoned that with the World Cup 2023 approaching Rohit should keep aside his family commitment until and unless there is an emergency. He has opined that in case of no-continuity gives birth to a situation in which the team starts taking cues from two leaders.

“I think he needs to play every game. You can’t have a captain who is there for one match and not there for the rest. It is so important. It can happen to any other player. I know it was a family commitment, so he had to be there. That’s understandable,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“When it comes to the World Cup, you can’t have a family commitment; it’s as simple as that. Maybe before that, finish everything that you have unless it’s an emergency. Emergency is something completely different.

“You need continuity in leadership. There’s a feeling that you have got everybody with you, otherwise there are two leaders. Then there are two leaders that the team is looking at,” Gavaskar added.

Rohit reportedly took an off to attend the wedding of his brother-in-law. India won the first match under Hardik by five wickets. Rohit took charge from the second ODI in Visakhapatnam where India faced a 10-wicket defeat. India again lost in the series-decider at Chepauk to face their first bilateral home ODI series defeat since 2019.

India will next be seen in action during the final of World Test championship (WTC) final against Australia at The Oval in London from June 7.