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Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)
Team India senior players, including Rohit Sharma, will be in action for the first time after the 2023 ODI World Cup in the Test series against South Africa. The veteran opener led the side brilliantly in the premier tournament but unfortunately, when it mattered most, they fell short against the mighty Australia. The South Africa tour is a fresh start for the Men in Blue and the Test team will be aiming to end the campaign on a high note.
Ahead of the first Test in Centurion on Tuesday, December 26, captain Rohit attended a press conference. The 36-year-old said the World Cup final loss was painful for all the players and everyone is desperate to win the two-match series. Meanwhile, he also had to confront the much-talked-about Indian captaincy in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
When asked by a reporter whether he would play for India in the upcoming major international tournament, Rohit came up with the perfect reply. However, he did not give a direct answer and instead said that all players want to play in the World Cup.
"Desperation is there for everyone to play cricket. Everyone wants to play and everyone wants to do well. Wherever they get a chance, they will want to perform well. Mujhe pata hain aap kya bolne ki koshish kar rahe ho, milega aapko, jawab milega uska (I know what you are trying to ask here and you will get your answer," the right-hander responded leaving some of the reporters in splits.
Rohit has not played a single T20 international since losing to England in the 2022 World Cup semi-final. The Indian Cricket Board has been building a young T20 side and it remains to be seen whether Rohit and Kohli will find a place in the squad.
In Rohit's absence in the shorter format, the management has been giving the captaincy responsibility to Hardik Pandya. But the all-rounder's frequent injuries may prompt the selectors to call the Mumbai cricketer back into the role.