'Jalta hai mujhse' - Twitter reacts as Virat Kohli rests Rohit Sharma for the first T20I between India and England

The four-match Test series between India and England ended up with India clinching the marquee series by 3-1. After the Test series, the two teams are now up against each other in the ongoing first T20I of the five-match series at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium where India will be hoping to continue their winning momentum in the limited-overs series too. There were many speculations regarding India’s Playing XI as many players were awarded their maiden-calls in the T20I squad. 

While interacting with the press on the eve of the first T20 International against England, India skipper Virat Kohli had confirmed that India will go with the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. This was a major announcement considering that India had to bench their veteran opener, Shikhar Dhawan.

“If Rohit plays, then it’s simple. KL (Rahul) and Rohit have been performing consistently at the top of the order for us and those two will start. In a situation, Rohit takes rest and KL has a niggle or something, Shikhi (Dhawan’s nickname in the team obviously comes in as the third opener but the starting composition, Rohit and Rahul will be the ones who will start,” Virat had declared in the press conference.

Virat Kohli opens up on the absence of Rohit Sharma

However, going into the first T20I, India managed to spring a surprise as it was revealed by the Indian skipper that Rohit Sharma has been rested for a couple of games. This also means that fans will have to wait to see Rohit in a Blue jersey as Rohit had last featured in a T20I game for India in January 2020 against New Zealand.

“Probably would have bowled first as well. Dew is going to be a massive factor in the second half. Got to get into the game with the ball and restrict them to a chaseable score. We were planning to do things like batting first in these conditions where bowling in the dew becomes a factor. It’s a good way to prepare for the World Cup. The next few months will be important from a team environment. Rohit is resting for the first couple of games,” Virat Kohli said at the toss ceremony after he was put to bat first.

The exclusion of Rohit Sharma created a furor on Twitter as people came up with their own assumptions regarding the absence of the veteran.