IND vs SL 2022: Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane big shoes to fill, will be in team’s future plans – Rohit Sharma

India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are still in the team’s future plans and the other players have big shoes to fill as both Pujara and Rahane had all the experience under their belt.

However, Pujara and Rahane were dropped after a string of low scores in the last couple of years.

Furthermore, both Pujara and Rahane were averaging around 25 in the last two years and thus they were shown the exit doors. In fact, the chief selector Chetan Sharma revealed that selection doors are not closed for Pujara and Rahane and they can come back into the team if they perform consistently in the Ranji Trophy.

Meanwhile, Rahane scored 129 runs in Mumbai’s first match of Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season against Saurashtra while Cheteshwar Pujara also scored a match-saving knock of 91 runs in the second innings of the same match.

“Look, Rahane and Pujara are big shoes to fill, it will never be easy for whoever comes in, even I do not know who is going to come in for Rahane and Pujara honestly. Look, at what Pujara and Rahane have done for this team, you cannot put it out in words, all these years of hard work and playing 80-90 odd Tests, all those overseas Test wins. India getting to No.1 in Tests, these guys helped us in that situation and they have played a big part in that,” Rohit said during a virtual press conference.

“There is no way that these guys would not be looked upon in the future, they will be in our plans. Like the selector also said, it is just for now that we did not consider them. There is nothing written about them not being considered for the series later on,” he added.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to note Rohit’s opening partner in the absence of KL Rahul. Rohit added they will analyze the conditions and select their playing XI accordingly. Mayank Agarwal though is expected to open the innings with the captain.

Rohit said: “I am a captain, I’ll prefer everyone to be in the team. We will see and analyze everything and then we will take a call. Mayank, Shubman, Shreyas and Vihari, all are brilliant and they are the future of Indian cricket.”

“I think they need to be given a solid run for them to excel in this format and it is important for us to do that. It will start with the management showing enough support and backing so hopefully, these guys with enough backing, not just from me, but you guys, will also help,” he added.

The first Test match against Sri Lanka will be played at Mohali on Friday.