Rohit, alongwith senior teammates Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, was not part of the Indian team of the just concluded three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka. In the absence of the trio, India led by new captain Hardik Pandya won the series 2-1.
There are strong indications that the transition of the Indian T20 team has begun under the leadership of Hardik, and the BCCI wants to build a young team for the next T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA in 2024.
Speaking on the eve of the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Rohit categorically denied any plans to give up the format and said that all formats players need breaks.
“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 the IPL. I have not decided to give up the format,” Rohit said.
Rohit emphasised that the ODI format is the priority this year in view of the ODI World Cup later in the year in India.
“At the moment I think it was made clear in the past that it’s a 50-over World Cup year for us. And for some of the guys it’s not possible to play all formats,” Rohit replied to a query from PTI.
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When asked who can be the India captaincy prospect in ODIs and Tests after him. Rohit said: “Abhi toh kehna mushkil hai. Sabka focus abhi ODI World Cup pe hai. (It is difficult to say right now as everyone is focussed on the ODI World Cup). And also we have World Test Championship matches coming up. You have to wait and watch.”
Rohit, Virat and Rahul are back in the India squad for the three-match ODI series against the Lankans, and the first match is scheduled for Tuesday in Guwahati.
(With inputs from PTI)
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