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The noon heat wave here has compelled the Indian players to conserve energy. Yet, Rahul, back from a tiring tour of England, was pushing himself. It's not even a week since he got a Test hundred at the Oval, and exerting before a game against Hong Kong did not seem rational. More so as India will take on Pakistan just the day after meeting Hong Kong.
But there is a lot at stake for Rahul: he wants to cement a place in the Indian ODI middle order, which looks unsettled.
"Yeah it is not settled," Rohit Sharma, the stand-in captain for the tournament, was in no mood to skirt the issues plaguing his team ahead of the Asia Cup-opener. "There's been a lot of guys who have played in those positions. Going forward we want everything to be settled. It ( Asia Cup) gives opportunity to the guys to come and play the cricket they like to play and seal the spot."
For a change, here's a man from the leadership group who doesn't like to live in denial.
Continuity in the middle order has been low priority in the Indian scheme of things.MS Dhoni, whose prowess is on the wane, has been the only constant. Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Kedar Jadhav, Suresh Raina and Manish Pandey have all got their opportunities, but a decent run has eluded each one of them.
Regular skipper Virat Kohli - keeping in mind the World Cup in England next year - had asserted during the ODI leg in South Africa that Rahane ticks most boxes. Strangely, the selectors thought otherwise after that series in South Africa. Jadhav's frequent breakdowns and Ambati Rayudu's inability to pass the mandatory fitness test paved the way back for Suresh Raina in England three months ago. Trying to accommodate the talent of Rahul has also contributed to the team management's impatience.
Rohit on Monday preferred to lay out the template, a similar one which has helped him win two IPL titles with Mumbai Indians: "Nobody likes to be dropped and brought back into the squad. We want everyone to be feeling safe and settled, so that they can play freely.
"If you look at the future, as a captain or player you want your team to be settled and even the guys who are eyeing that spot want to be settled. Right now all the guys who are eyeing that spot look fresh mentally. I guess they're just a performance away from making their claim."
Rohit, in essence, held the mirror up for the team management and the selectors. He may slip back into the vice-captain's role once Kohli is back, but he has put his vision out on the table.
This is Rohit's first marquee series as a captain. The label of 'not a good Test-player' is a bitter pill to swallow for him. He has his focus locked on enhancing his reputation as a man with a sound awareness of the game.
The process should start with the match against Hong Kong on Tuesday. "I can't tell you who is going to bat where. Obviously, we want to give as many chances as possible to the guys to make sure the No.4 and 6 spots are sealed. I cannot definitely tell who can bat at 3 or 4. I still have to go and have a word with the coach," Rohit's statement suggested that No. 5 has been identified for Dhoni.
For now, Rohit has made his stand on Jadhav clear. Jadhav fits in as an important member and inclusion of Rayudu has only added to the strength of the middle-order.
Source : timesofindia[dot]indiatimes[dot]com
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