The absence of an indisposed Avesh Khan and Ravindra Jadeja, who underwent knee surgery, meant India was only competing with two frontline designers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh – with Hardik Pandya being the third fast medium option.
The lack of spice in their bowling attack meant the team suffered back-to-back Super 4 defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, failing to defend scores of 181 and 173 respectively.
“It’s 90-95% fixed, just a few changes that are going to happen,” Rohit said of the team’s combination after a humiliating loss to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
The skipper added that he wanted to experience the Asian Cup a bit and see what happens when four specialist bowlers are used.
“When you talk about experiments, yes, we wanted to try some things. If you look at the combination we played before the start of the Asian Cup, it was with four seamers, two spinners and the second spinner was a everything. -rounder.
“I’ve always wanted to try to find answers about what happens if you play with three setters and two spinners, and the third spinner is versatile. We’re still looking for answers,” he explained.
This was done specifically to check if Hardik could fit in as the third seamstress.
“I want to be prepared for the World Cup where you are challenged as a team. When you go to the World Cup you want to have all the answers. Since Hardik Pandya came back we have been playing with 3 seams.
“It’s good to know what can happen when you play with three setters, two spinners… These defeats teach us a lot of things,” he added.
Always looking for answers
While Rohit said 95% of the team was settled, he contradicted himself when he said many answers were yet to be found.
“There are a lot of questions that we need to answer, and along the way, in the series three-four that we’ve played, we’ve found answers.
“There will be a time when we draw a line and say, ‘this is the combination we want to play for the World Cup.’ After that we have two more series and then the World Cup. Until our team is announced we can try a few players.”
Rohit Sharma: Not fair to judge Bhuvneshwar Kumar after 2 matches
Hooda edged out DK and was denied bowling
A pertinent question was why Deepak Hooda was sent to No.7 and didn’t even give one to play his off-breaks.
“Yes, we have a sixth bowling option, but we also wanted to try with five options and see what happens and what doesn’t,” Rohit said in his defense.
“Today Hooda was there, but their two right-handers (openers) were ready, and I didn’t think I could get him in then because we were looking to take wickets through our attacking spinners Ashwin and Chahal,” referenced in Rohit. Opening stand of 97 tracks between Pathum Missanka and Kusal Mendis.
“If we had early wickets, I wanted to beat Hooda, he was in my plan. But yes, the sixth option is always nice. When we play the World Cup, we will have in mind to play with six options. ”
Rohit Sharma on Arshdeep Singh and the lost hold against Pakistan
DK is absent due to the left-right combination
Rishab Panting flattered to cheat his chances of beating but skipper Rohit said Dinesh Karthik’s absence from the playing XI is purely strategic.
“See, it’s simple. We wanted a left-handed hitter in the middle. That’s why Dinesh Karthik is out. Not because of form or anything. We wanted a left-handed hitter in the middle to relieve the pressure, but it didn’t happen.
“But in no way DK was dropped because of bad form. We always want to have flexibility in the squad.”
Rohit did not forget to mention that some experiments will continue in the Australia and South Africa series at home.
“We will continue to change players from time to time depending on the opposition. Four to five batters will play, but there will always be these one-to-two changes in the bat.”
Indian skipper 🇮🇳 @ImRo45 talks about Dilshan’s performance, respecting every opponent and the confidence I have… https://t.co/laePhAzOaR
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) 1662498160000
Nothing to complain about and the atmosphere is good
Failure to qualify for the Asian Cup final would certainly lead to dissection, but Rohit put his foot down and claimed there was nothing wrong with the team or the way they are currently playing.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong, it looks like it from the outside, but we don’t see it that way,” Rohit repeated what his predecessor Virat Kohli often repeated during conferences. Press.
“I have attended many press conferences, and when you lose you will be asked such questions. This is normal. But when it comes to the team, you can enter [the dressing room] and see, all the boys are relaxed and chilled. We have to have such an atmosphere whether you win or lose.”
Rohit feels that a lot of work has been done to make the dressing room atmosphere as good as it is now.
“We’ve worked hard to create a team atmosphere that way and all the boys are happy about that. If the atmosphere in the locker room is good, the performances you’ll see will eventually happen on the pitch.
“Before the World Cup, it is important for us to keep a good atmosphere and not to judge the boys by wins or losses, performances and non-performances. Because whoever is here, they are all good. That thought we had to be consistent with,” he concluded.
