'We cannot do that' - Rohit Sharma makes a huge statement on the domestic star who didn't get to play against NZ

Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

Indian youngsters have put up a magnificent show in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Ishan Kishan scored the fastest double hundred in the third ODI against Bangladesh in September while Shubman Gill also scored a double hundred against New Zealand in the first ODI. With other players shining, Indian captain Rohit Sharma couldn’t give a chance to Madhya Pradesh batter Rajat Patidar.

Patidar was brought into the squad as a replacement for Shreyas Iyer who got injured ahead of the New Zealand series. Some fans were expecting him to play in the third ODI in Indore as India had already sealed the series with their victories in the first two ODIs. Rohit said that the team is following plans that they have drawn up in the buildup to the World Cup later this year and are selecting players for matches accordingly.

“If we can find space for him we will get him to play,” said Rohit about Patidar. “Right now there is Kohli at No.3, Ishan Kishan at No.4 - he had sat out the last series after scoring a double century. At No.5 is Suryakumar Yadav, the whole world knows what he has been doing and then at No.6 there is Hardik Pandya. We want everyone to play but we cannot do that unless we find space for them.”

In Ranchi, Ishan will also say, let me play: Rohit Sharma

The third ODI was hosted at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, which is where Patidar plays his home matches for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. “I know maybe we could have played him in Indore. In Ranchi, Ishan will also say, let me play, I am from Ranchi. But that is not how it works, we go according to some plans. Everyone will get a chance. That is what we have told the boys, we will give you a chance to play whenever we can but that opportunity should arise, there are a lot of boys waiting in line,” said Rohit.

After whitewashing the Kiwis in the ODI series, the ‘Men-in-Blue’ will once again face them in a three-match T20I series starting on Friday. The first match of the series will be played in Ranchi where Hardik Pandya will be seen leading the Indian team.