Have Not Decided To Give Up On T20 Format, Says Rohit Sharma Ahead Of IND vs SL ODIs

Seeing Rohit's recent form and India's performance under his captaincy in T20Is, especially in major ICC events, fans started speculating whether the Indian squad is under a transitional phase.

Rohit also revealed the reason on why Bumrah was ruled out of the ODI series on the eve of the first ODI.

Source : Getty Images

IND vs SL ODIs: India's all-format captain Rohit Sharma missed T20I series against Sri Lanka due to injury. Hardik Pandya led the national team to a 2-1 win over the hosts. Seeing Rohit's recent form and India's performance under his captaincy in T20Is, especially in major ICC events, fans and cricket pundits started speculating whether the Indian squad is under a transitional phase, and they might soon see Rohit leaving the T20 captaincy to lead only in ODIs and Tests. 

However, on the eve of Ind vs SL 1st ODI, Rohit clarified he has no plans to give up on T20 format captaincy.

I have not decided to give up on T20 format, says India's ODI and Test skipper Rohit Sharma

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 9, 2023

"Firstly, it is not possible to play back-to-back matches. You need to give them (all format players) enough break. I definitely fall in that as well. We have three T20Is against New Zealand. We will see what happens after IPL. I have not decided to give up the format," Sharma told media persons.

Rohit also revealed why senior speedster Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of IND-SL ODI series, ahead of the first ODI. Bumrah has not played an international match for team India for almost 6 months and his fans have to wait more for his comeback. 

"Jasprit Bumrah felt stiffness while bowling at nets in National Cricket Academy," he said.

The 35-year-old Indian skipper confirmed that young talented Shubman Gill will be his opener in the 1st ODI in Guwahati on Tuesday. 

"Unfortunate that we won't be able to play Ishan Kishan. We have to give Gill a fair run," he said.

The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka starts from January 10, Tuesday. The hosts have a strong record in the 50-overs format on home soil but they can't take Sri Lanka lightly, who have a solid group of match-winners in their team.