Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has aired his thoughts on the potential resumption of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan, stating that it would significantly benefit the realm of Test cricket. The two countries, which share a rich history marred by political tensions, have not engaged in a bilateral series for about a decade. Consequently, their sporadic encounters in international tournaments have garnered immense anticipation from cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
During his appearance on the “Club Prairie Fire” podcast, hosted by former England captain Michael Vaughan, Sharma was posed with a question about the positive impacts of regular India-Pakistan matches on Test cricket. In response, he expressed strong support for the idea. “I totally believe that they are a good team, superb bowling line-up, good contest, if we play overseas. The last Test was played way back in 2007-08,” said Sharma.
Expanding on his stance, Sharma added, “Yeah, I would love to play against Pakistan. It would be a great contest between two strong sides. We face each other in ICC trophies, but a regular bilateral series focusing purely on cricket would be fantastic. So, why not?”
On a separate note, Sharma took the opportunity to address and dismiss recent rumors about a secret meeting involving himself, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the squad selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024. Reports had surfaced claiming discussions were held in Mumbai, focusing on aspects like Hardik Pandya’s bowling role and the consideration of Virat Kohli as an opening batsman.
Rubbishing these speculations, Sharma clarified, “I haven’t met anyone. Ajit Agarkar is somewhere in Dubai playing golf, and Rahul Dravid was actually in Bengaluru watching his kids play. He was in Mumbai but he got him [Dravid’s son] to play on a red-soil wicket at CCI. That’s about it.”
Continuing his denouncement of the rumors, Sharma emphasized the importance of receiving information directly from reliable sources. “We haven’t met, to be honest. In today’s day and age, unless you hear it from either myself, Rahul, Ajit, or someone from the BCCI coming and talking in front of the camera, everything else should be considered as not credible,” he stated firmly.
While no official statements have been made yet by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it is expected that the team selection for the T20 World Cup 2024 will be announced early in May.
Apart from discussing his views on India-Pakistan cricket and brushing off unfounded rumors, Rohit Sharma also touched upon the general excitement surrounding upcoming cricket schedules, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The anticipation for these events continues to build among fans, who are eager to see their favorite teams and players in action.
As the cricketing world watches closely, the statements made by figures like Sharma not only shed light on the dynamics of the sport but also influence the broader discussions surrounding international cricket relations, particularly between neighboring rivals like India and Pakistan.