IND vs WI 2nd ODI: India rested their two star batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, for the second ODI against West Indies in Barbados on Wednesday.
The decision to rest the two batsmen came as a surprise to many, as they had both been in good form in the recent past. Kohli scored 80 in the first ODI, while Sharma scored 60.
However, Hardik Pandya, the stand-in captain, explained that the decision to rest the two batsmen was taken in order to give them a break.
“They have been playing a lot of cricket in the last few months,” Pandya said. “So we thought it would be a good idea to give them a break and let some of the other players have a chance.”
Sanju Samson and Axar Patel came in to replace Kohli and Sharma in the Indian XI. Samson has been in good form in the domestic circuit, while Axar is a useful all-rounder who can bat and bowl.
The decision to rest Kohli and Sharma is likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some fans will be disappointed that they will not get to see the two batsmen in action, while others will be happy that they are being given a break.
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Only time will tell whether the decision to rest Kohli and Sharma was the right one. However, it is clear that the Indian team management is looking to test some of the other players in the squad ahead of the upcoming ICC tournaments.
Here are some of the reactions to the decision to rest Kohli and Sharma:
- “I think it’s a good decision to rest Kohli and Sharma. They have been playing a lot of cricket and they need a break. It will also give some of the other players a chance to stake their claim for a place in the team.” – Aakash Chopra, former Indian cricketer
- “I’m disappointed that Kohli and Sharma are not playing. I wanted to see them bat. But I understand the need to rest them. They have been playing a lot of cricket and they need a break.” – Virender Sehwag, former Indian cricketer
- “I think it’s a bold decision to rest Kohli and Sharma. But I think it’s the right decision. The Indian team management is looking to test some of the other players in the squad ahead of the upcoming ICC tournaments.” – Harsha Bhogle, commentator
It remains to be seen how the Indian team will fare without Kohli and Sharma. However, the decision to rest them is a clear indication that the team management is looking to the future.