Team India will play against England in the second semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, November 9. Team India reached the semi-final after topping Group 2 with 8 points from 10 games and all eyes will be on what team combination Rohit Sharma and co. keep for the all-important game.
Ahead of the game, captain Rohit opened up on the team’s preparations and what kind of combination they might go in as well. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was given a chance in playing XI in India’s last Super 12 game against Zimbabwe, replacing Dinesh Karthik. However, Pant scored just 3 runs as well.
Throwing light on Pant’s selection in the last game, Rohit Sharma revealed that they wanted to give the youngster some game time ahead of the all-important knockouts.
“Between DK and Pant, I had just during the last game as well, Pant was the only guy who did not get to play on this tour at all except the two games we played at Perth. They were unofficial practice games but since then he has not had a hit. He was missing game-time, so we wanted to give him time and have some options as well if we want to make changes in the semi-final or final,” said Rohit Sharma during a pre-match press conference.
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“It will be unfair to bring a guy out of nowhere and make him play the game, so that was the thought. But again, we have told the guys that everyone needs to be ready for whichever game they play, whether it is the semis or league games.
“It was a little tactical as well considering we did not know which team we would play in semi-final before that Zimbabwe game. We wanted to make sure to give the left-hander an opportunity to counter those spinners who bowl in the middle. But again, what is going to happen tomorrow, I cannot tell you know but both of those keepers will be in play for selection,” he further added.
“It seems to be fine now” – Rohit Sharma on his injury
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has also opened up on his injury which he received a blow on his forearm on Tuesday. Talking about that, the Indian captain said:
“I was hit yesterday, but it seems to be fine now. There was a little bruising, but it is absolutely fine now.”
Notably, Team India last won the T20 World Cup in 2007 which came under MS Dhoni’s leadership and after that, India won the Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, they failed to win an ICC title yet.
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