The decision to rest Rohit for the West Indies tour is right: Virat Kohli

While India were locking horns with Bangladesh in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston, BCCI announced the squad for the tour to West Indies. There were two notable changes as Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested that made way for Rishabh Pant and Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s skipper Virat Kohli reckoned that the decision to rest Rohit is the correct one given the right-hander had recently gone through a hip surgery and the time off the field would help him maintain full fitness.

“Rohit has come back and really had a full IPL season, which has been hectic. They [Mumbai Indians] reached the final, so he got lesser rest than anyone else. Plus he had a massive hip surgery, so muscles around that area are always vulnerable, and today also he felt a bit of stiffness in his right knee,” Kohli said after winning the semi-final match.

“There is no doubt about Rohit’s ability and what he brings to the team. We need to protect him going further, because latter half of the year we have massive tours coming up, and his batting contribution will be a huge factor for us. So we want him to be careful because after a massive surgery you do need to be careful. If you push yourself a little too hard then it snaps again, you’re out for seven, eight months.”

“It is a conscious decision by everyone to give him a break. He is making the most of the form he is in right now. And I’m sure he also knows and understands the whole situation,” the skipper added.

Rohit’s took his side to the final

Rohit might not go to West Indies but he is certainly making his presence felt in the Champions Trophy. In the league stage, he had scored two half-centuries against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively. On Thursday, he scored a magnificent 123 that helped India chase down the target of 265 with ease. India will now take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the final and would look to defend the title at the Oval.