After losing the ODI series to Australia, Indian captain Rohit Sharma spoke out about the need for Indian players to monitor their workloads by sensibly caring for their bodies. The Men in Blue have scattered to the IPL team camps, where things could become complicated. The last thing any team does not want is their star player to get injured and miss a must-win match. But with the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the horizon, it has been reported that the top Indian players’ workload will be managed.
It has been reported that Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma will sit out a few games during the IPL 2023 to manage his workload and that Suryakumar Yadav will take over as captain in his stead.
Fans’ reactions to these reports have been mixed, but here are three reasons why it makes sense for Rohit Sharma to get some rest in a few games.
1. The ability and ferocity of Cameron Green as an opener can be tested
When MI spent a tonne of money at the IPL 2023 auction to secure the services of Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, the primary concern on everyone’s mind was where he would bat. Green’s performance in the T20Is against India last year just before the T20 World Cup was outstanding. Coming in as an opener, he smashed the bowlers all over the ground.
If MI opts not to include Rohit Sharma for a few matches, they can pair Ishan Kishan and Cameron Green at the top of the order to see if the all-rounder can maintain his explosiveness. If this plan succeeds, the Mumbai Indians may consider moving Rohit to the middle order to capitalise on Green’s game-changing knocks.
2. The capabilities and skills of Suryakumar Yadav as a captain can be evaluated
In addition to being named India’s vice-captain for their T20I series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand earlier this year, Suryakumar Yadav has maintained his status as undoubtedly the best batsman in the world T20Is at present.
Even when playing with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gautam Gambhir saw potential in “SKY” and occasionally gave him the vice-captaincy. This inspiring quality may help him succeed Rohit Sharma as an MI skipper.
It will be interesting to see how SKY makes critical choices without Rohit. This could also be a curtain rehearsal for the future of MI after Rohit Sharma retires. In April, Rohit will turn 36, so the franchise may want to start making plans for a future captain.
3. Rohit Sharma and his history of injuries
The number of Test matches Rohit has missed over the past couple of years is undoubtedly one of the most convincing arguments favouring this prospective workload management strategy.
Rohit Sharma has had injury problems, barring him from playing in the Test series in South Africa and Bangladesh. Before a crucial Test match against England, Rohit had tested positive for COVID-19, causing him to miss the game.
For India, Rohit Sharma’s importance with the bat becomes hugely significant, especially in England without Rishabh Pant, where Rohit already scored an impressive 368 runs in just four Test matches in 2021. As the WTC final will be played at The Oval, where Rohit scored his only overseas Test century, he should rest in some IPL 2023 matches to ensure he is completely fit and prepared for Team India’s big game.