'Kuch bhi matlab bhaiya' - Fans react to 2011 WC selector gives justification for Rohit Sharma snub during 2011 ODI World Cup

Rohit Sharma was excluded from India's 2011 ODI World Cup roster because then-captain MS Dhoni preferred to add leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, according to former national selector Raja Venkat. Even the team's head coach, Gary Kirsten, he claimed, preferred Rohit in the team but changed his mind when Dhoni requested a substitution.

Even though he wasn't in fantastic shape, Rohit, who has since become the skipper of Team India, had become an anchor in the team before the World Cup. He played in the middle order during the first two matches in the ODI series against South Africa, which took place before the event, and then opened during the next three, however, he could only generate 23 runs at a pitiful average of 9.80.

He wanted Piyush Chawla instead of Rohit Sharma: Raja Venkat

Venkat spoke to Revv Sportz about not selecting Rohit Sharma while selecting the team for the 2011 World Cup squad. He said, "When we sat to select the team, Rohit was very much in the scheme of things. So when we were selecting the team, from 1-14, everything was accepted. No. 15, we suggested the name of Rohit Sharma. Gary Kirsten felt it was a perfect selection but again, the captain wanted a change there. He wanted Piyush Chawla instead of Rohit Sharma. So immediately Gary Kirsten somersaulted and he said, 'No, I think that's the better choice.' So that's how Rohit Sharma got left out."

The former selector said that he did not get a chance to catch up since the time he was left out of the squad. He said, "No, we didn't get a chance to talk to him but we were also disappointed we couldn't select him. We selected the 14 which was unanimous and the 15th one, when the captain and coach wanted it so we thought to let them have it the way they want."

Fans react to 2011 WC selector gives justification for Rohit Sharma snub during 2011 ODI World Cup: 

Raja Venkat the Indian selector for the 2011 World Cup, said (to RevSportz). -



"When we sat to select the team for World Cup, Rohit was very much in the scheme of thing, Coach Gary Kirsten also felt it was a perfect selection, but Rohit Sharma was not picked for 2011 World Cup… pic.twitter.com/fVo2WMLvcE

— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) August 22, 2023

Doesn't matter, india won the world Cup. Now why u r obsessed with one individual didn't played that time.

— Kamal Rao (@KamalRao62) August 22, 2023

And that is why India won wc.

— sakshi (@Sakshiiiiiii18) August 22, 2023

Dhoni gave him career by letting him open and selecting him over sehwag , murli Vijay and others

— Dr.kohli (@whiskytriceps) August 22, 2023

Another day of thanking MS DHONI for one of his greatest decision in his career🛐🤲 pic.twitter.com/9aYZd7AodJ

— Ash (@CelebrityPuluti) August 22, 2023

That's way rohit Sharma didn't picked any csk players

— ☄@I'mro45☄ (@Limiteyourself) August 22, 2023

Great call captain dhoni pic.twitter.com/Rjd5frSHWF

— Sumit 🇮🇳 (@innocent2904) August 22, 2023

Dhoni took the right decision, Rohit was a pathetic player until 2013, very rarely performs

— Kapil (@rohitpnwr23) August 22, 2023

Similarly for sky. They can include in place of sky and India can win the world cup

— JIGS fOr YoU (@PARMARJIGNESH93) August 22, 2023