“Pagalpanti nahi karte hum,” Rohit Sharma’s epic reply on batting flexibility question, says he and Virat Kohli will also turn into BOWLERS

Rohit explains that the batting order can be changed at times.

“Pagalpanti nahi karte hum,” Rohit Sharma’s epic reply on batting flexibility question, says he and Virat Kohli will also turn into BOWLERS

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ( via Crictracker )

In the press conference on Monday (August 21), while announcing the squad for the Asia Cup 2023, Rohit Sharma confirmed that the openers and the batter at number 3 will retain their spots in the batting order. He further added that the middle order can be shifted depending on the situation. 

The BCCI announced the 17-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup being held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, although India will play all their games in Sri Lanka. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, India’s number 4 and number 5 batsmen in the batting order are returning from injury and will retain their spot in the team.

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Rohit today revealed that although they are back in the team, the batting order could be shifted according to the situation. Rohit clarified that his, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohi’s spot in the batting order will be fixed. 

Related: “Mumbai lobby at its best”- Fans slam BCCI as 5 Mumbai Indians players get selected for 2023 Asia Cup including Tilak Varma despite never playing ODI

Rohit Sharma says flexibility is required

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Shreyas Iyer (L) and KL Rahul (R) (Image via ESPNCricinfo)

Rohit said that even though the top 3 is fixed, the team still requires players to be flexible with their batting positions. He mentioned how when he was a youngster in the squad, the batting order used to be shuffled regularly and how the team needed to learn to be flexible. 

He hilariously added that being flexible doesn’t mean that he’ll send an opener to bat at number 8 and how he’ll send a number 8 to bat as an opener. 

“It doesn’t mean that you send an opener to bat No.8 and a No.8 is promoted to the top of the order,” Rohit said during the press conference. “Ye pagalpanti nahi karte hum (We don’t do these kinds of nonsensical things).”

And the query regarding fewer bowling options India have, Rohit had another epic answer ready. He said: “But hopefully Sharma and Kohli can roll some arm over in the World Cup.”

The Asia Cup begins from 30th September. The competition opener will be contested between hosts Pakistan and Nepal. India will face Pakistan on 2nd September and then Nepal on 4th September. Both matches will be held in the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka. 

If India makes it through the group stage, they will play in the Super 4. Each team will play against each other and the top 2 teams play the finals. 

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