In the ongoing final Super 4 match of the 2023 Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team is facing Bangladesh. Surprisingly, Virat Kohli, the renowned Indian batting maestro, is not part of the playing XI. The team management’s decision to test their bench strength in this inconsequential match has raised eyebrows.
It’s worth mentioning that India has already secured a spot in the Asia Cup 2023 final. However, since they are up against Bangladesh in a match with no bearing on the tournament outcome, the team management opted to provide opportunities to players who have seen limited action recently.
During the toss, the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, confirmed this strategy, stating, “We want to give playing time to those who haven’t had many chances lately. We’ve made five changes, with Virat, Hardik, Siraj, Bumrah, and Kuldeep sitting out. Tilak makes his debut, and Shami and Prasidh join the lineup. Suryakumar also gets a chance.”
Rohit Sharma, leading the team, won the toss and chose to field first at the R. Premadasa Stadium on September 15th. The squad underwent five changes since the last game. Notably, Tilak Varma and Prasidh Krishna, who aren’t part of the World Cup squad, received an opportunity to showcase their skills against Bangladesh.
In addition to Kohli, senior players like Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav were rested, making way for Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, and Prasidh Krishna in the playing XI.
Virat Kohli – What a fantastic character.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 15, 2023
He is enjoying each & every moment. pic.twitter.com/EVAHXmM8m1
Meanwhile, Kohli, despite not being in the playing XI, graciously took on the role of providing drinks to his teammates on the field. This display of humility by the Indian batting maestro earned him admiration from fans on social media, where they lauded his sportsmanship.
