Indian National Cricket Team stand-in captain KL Rahul has said that they cannot expect the newcomers to replicate the roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming three-match ODI series.
India is currently on its tour of South Africa. The tour consists of a three-match T20I series, a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series. The T20I series already ended in a 1-1 draw as the first match was canceled due to rain.
The teams will then face each other in the ODI series starting on Sunday, December 17 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, KL Rahul admitted that the ODI is the lowest priority format at the moment for the team. He said that they will not change the squad, but they cannot expect the newcomers to play like Kohli and Rohit.
“I don’t think it will change much in terms of how we want to play the ODIs, but we can’t expect a newcomer to come out and play the role of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the World Cup. It will be too soon and we have to give them time to adapt and there will be no pressure from me,” said the boss.
KL Rahul added that his main focus is on the T20 World Cup 2024 as well as Test cricket which always remains the priority of Indian cricket. Furthermore, he made it clear that they are fully focused on facing the strong South African team in the upcoming ODI series.
“I think it is too early to look at the bigger picture as far as ODI cricket is concerned. The focus is on the T20 World Cup which is just around the corner and there is not much cricket left in terms of the Indian team, so the focus has changed a bit,” he admitted.
“Test cricket will always be an important format for our country and having said that, we are here as the Indian cricket team to compete in the ODI series, against a really good team from South Africa and we will focus on what we have in front of us. we”.
The schedule is such that not all players can be available for all formats – KL Rahul
Recently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a couple of major changes in the Indian ODI team for the South Africa series.
Star middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer will feature only in the first match before being released from the side to take part in the inter-squad game to prepare for the important two-match Test series against the Proteas. Additionally, Deepak Chahar has pulled out of the series due to a family medical emergency and Akash Deep has been named as his replacement.
Talking about Iyer’s release, KL Rahul said that not all players may be available for all formats. He also spoke about the coaching staff led by Rahul Dravid not being in the ODI team and instead focusing on the Test series.
“It feels a little strange. But that’s how the game goes. The schedule is such that not all players can be available for all formats,” Rahul said when asked about Shreyas Iyer being released for Test match preparation after the first ODI.
“The coach (Rahul Dravid) has more responsibility and focus on the Test series and it gives us the opportunity to take on extra responsibility to try and play the best cricket. Nothing changes for us. All the guys here deserve it when it comes to being called up to the national team. I trust each one of them since the selectors have given them opportunities,” said the substitute captain.
