Rohit Sharma should take break from IPL 2023, says Sunil Gavaskar ahead of the WTC Final 2023: In a very unusual suggestion for the team India captain, Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator, has asked Rohit Sharma to take a break from the ongoing Tata IPL 2023 and remain fresh for the upcoming ICC WTC Final 2023.
Following Mumbai Indians’ defeat against Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Gavaskar advised Rohit to take a little breather from the IPL 2023 campaign for his side and come back in the last phase of the tournament.
Sunil Gavaskar’s rationale behind this statement was to see Rohit Sharma, who also is team India’s captain, fresh and fit to play the marquee ICC WTC Final against Australia at the Oval in London, starting June 7.
“I would like to see some change in the batting order [for Mumbai Indians],” Gavaskar had said on Star Sports following MI’s defeat against GT.
“Honestly, I would also say that Rohit Sharma should maybe also take a break for the time being, and keep himself fit for the World Test Championship [final]. [He can] come back again for the last few matches, but right now, [he should] take a little bit of a breather himself,” he added.
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently announced India’s squad for the ICC WTC Final 2023 against Australia. The first batch of Indian players will board the plane to London in the final week of May. While the remaining players will join their teammates in London after disposing of their IPL duties.
The cricketer-turned-commentator sensed that Sharma seems to be a little distracted with ICC WTC Final in the picture ahead.
“He is looking just that little bit preoccupied. Maybe at this stage, he is thinking about the WTC [final], I don’t know. But I do believe that at this stage he needs a little bit of a break, and come back for the last three or four matches so that he is in rhythm for the World Test Championship [final],” he added.
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Don’t think he should rest: Mark Boucher
Meanwhile, Mark Boucher, Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach, has responded to the query raised by Sunil Gavaskar. Boucher, during his media interaction on the eve of Mumbai’s clash with Rajasthan Royals, firstly denied that Rohit shouldn’t take a rest as he is a vital member of the squad and his presence creates a huge impact.
Furthermore, the MI coach said that if Rohit himself approaches the management for a breather, the team will surely consider it and do the needful.
“No, I don’t think he should take a rest. That’s not my call to make,” said Mark Boucher, MI’s head coach, on the eve of the MI vs RR clash. “Obviously, we want Rohit playing, because he’s a very good player, and a leader as well. If it is the best for Rohit, and he comes up to me and says that ‘you know, I need a bit of a break’ then yes, we will address that, and I will consider that. He hasn’t done that. So yes at the moment, if he is available to play, he will play.”
Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Wankhede Stadium in the evening clash of Sunday doubleheaders on 30th April 2023. MI is placed at the penultimate positon in the points table and lost two games on the trot after their three consecutive wins in the tournament.
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