"We discussed a lot, unfortunately, Washy hasn’t played a lot lately. It was then between Ash and Axar. It was like that, we thought having 2 left arm spinners – ash hasn’t played the format lately. Axar was in good form when he played those 5 match against Australia. He has been bowling well and gives us that left handed option in the middle if we want to do something different."

5:44 PM

Rohit on spinners' role in T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit on spinners:

"I don’t want to go into too much details because I am sure opposition captains will listen to this. I wanted more spinners, we know what the conditions are like. Matches start at 10-10.30 in the morning. Technical aspect involved in this. Maybe in first PC in west indies i’ll speak about it. Won’t say now, but definitely there. I wanted 4 spinners and 3 seamers with hardik being there. You get the balance. With 2 spinners being all rounders, then two attacking spinners gives you balance in spin department as well. Based on opposition composition we can decide what to play with."

5:42 PM

Ajit Agarkar on Virat's strike rate

Ajit Agarkar: "We haven’t been discussing it. He has been in great form in IPL. No concerns tehre at at all."

5:41 PM

Rohit on Hardik and Shivam’s role

Rohit on Hardik and Shivam’s role:

"Expect them to do what they are doing in IPL. Unfortunately Shivam hasn’t bowled a single ball in IPL but he is a seasoned cricketer. When he plays T20 format, it’s about little bit of skills coming in to the picture. I will be expecting if we need Shivam to ball few overs, he will. Same with Hardik, he has come and bowled whenever needed. All rounders ka jo bhi role hai, they must do that."

5:40 PM

Rohit on four spinners in the squad

The Indian captain didn't want to reveal the reason behind the inclusion of four spinners given other captains would have been listening to this press conference.

However, Rohit said he might reveal the reason when he lands in West Indies for the first game.

5:39 PM

Agarkar on Rinku Singh's exclusion

Agarkar said that it was unfortunate that Rinku missed a place in the main squad. He also highlighted that the selectors wanted to give Rohit an extra spinner.

5:36 PM

Agarkar on Hardik Pandya's inclusion

Agarkar said that Hardik Pandya's form is not a concern given he is coming after a long-injury layoffs. What Pandya can do on a cricket field, one cannot ignore him.

5:34 PM

Rohit on India's Playing 11 for T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma says that he is open to all type of team composition. If Pant has to be used as opener, it will be done.

Rohit highlighted the fact that the team has never played in New York and once checking upon the conditions, the playing 11 will be decided.

Rohiu also explained Dube was picked for his ability to hit all type of bowlers, be it fast bowlers or spinners.

5:32 PM

Agarkar & Rohit on IPL's role in team selection

Ajit Agar said that the decision can't get swayed by 3-4 weeks of IPL 2024. The management has been discussing about the team composition two-three months back.

Rohit Sharma said the management had idea over 70-80 per cent squad before the start of IPL.

5:26 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Agarkar on Rahul's exclusion

Ajit Agarkar

"We were looking for players who were batting in the middle-order. KL Rahul is playing as opener. Pant is batting at number 5 and we can believe, Sanju can adjust in the middle-order."

5:24 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Rohit on captaincy

Rohit Sharma: "It was great experience when I am not captaining the side."

5:22 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Wait is over

The wait is over. Rohit and Agarkar has started the media briefing.

5:08 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Wait continues

The press conference has been delayed by over an hour now. Both Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma have arrived at the venue as we all are waiting for the press conference to begin.

4:50 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference

We are still waiting for the press conference to begin. We are late by 50 minutes now.

4:43 PM

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference

So the delay in the press conference is due to Rohit Sharma's late arrival. Captain Rohit has reached the venue and the press conference will begin any moment now. Stay tuned

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Topics :Rohit Sharma ICC T20 World Cup India cricket team

First Published: May 02 2024 | 2:36 PM IST

Agarkar & Rohit press conference highlights: 'Unfortunate, Rinku not in main squad'

We were looking for players who were batting in the middle-order; KL Rahul is playing as opener; Pant is batting at number 5 and we can believe, Sanju can adjust in the middle-order, says Agarkar

Key Events

Rohit Sharma on No off-spinner in India squad

Rohit on spinners' role in T20 World Cup 2024

Ajit Agarkar on Virat's strike rate

Rohit on Hardik and Shivam’s role

Rohit on four spinners in the squad

Agarkar on Rinku Singh's exclusion

Agarkar on Hardik Pandya's inclusion

Rohit on India's Playing 11 for T20 World Cup

Agarkar & Rohit on IPL's role in team selection

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Agarkar on Rahul's exclusion

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Rohit on captaincy

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Wait is over

India's T20 World Cup LIVE press conference: Wait continues

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