Indian captain Rohit Sharma has hinted at the end of the career of Test specialist batsman Cheteshwar and Ajinkya Liby. It was believed that in the absence of Kohli in the first two Tests, an experienced batsman would get a chance in left-handed Pujara, but the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar did not do so and gave a chance to young Rajat Patidar.

In the pre-match conference on Sunday before the 5-match series with England, when Rohit was asked about ignoring Pujara, he said – ‘I had thought of bringing the seniors, but then when will we get the young players? .. We had also thought about this, although it was not easy to keep the seniors out, but sometimes you get a chance for new players. They should be fielded on foreign soil only after giving them a chance in obsolete conditions. I think it is important to give space to the youth.

West last played in a Test in 2023 against the West Indies in Port of Spain, while the Associates were out after the World Test Championship final last year.

The decision to exclude seniors is not easy
Rohit said- ‘Seniors have scored so many runs, won so many matches and have so much experience that it is difficult to uninstall them, but you give a chance to the youngsters.’ Rohit also said that doors have not been closed for anyone. Anyone can have the opportunity to stay fit and run.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the pre-match conference.

We are not invincible, we have to play good cricket
Captain Sharma said that I do not think that we are unbeatable. We don’t want that. Whoever has recorded in the last decade has no intention that we will win this series also. We will have to perform well for this.

Rohit said that the victory in the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town has boosted the morale of the team. He said that the win in Cape Town was good, but this match is in the resident. The circumstances are different and so is the opposing team. Much better than that win, which is going to be useful in this series.

India-England first match from 25th January
The first match of the India and England Test series will be played in Resident on 25 January. After this, the second test will start from February 2 in Visakhapatnam. This series of 5 matches is from March 11 till now.