Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has said Rohit Sharma was not taking potshots at anyone particular when he said individuals who showed the hunger and desire to play the longest format of the game will only be considered in the future. Rohit Sharma after the 4th Test had delivered a strong statement regarding individuals who did not show appropriate hunger to play in India’s Test team. The comment was seen as a message to certain players who did not play Ranji Trophy despite BCCI’s diktat, but Aakash Chopra has urged people not to target individuals based on Rohit’s comments.
Despite strong directives from the BCCI, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer chose not to participate in the Ranji Trophy. “Test cricket is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunity only to players who have that hunger. Jinko bhookh nahi hai, unko dekh ke hi pata chal jata hai,” Rohit Sharma had said after the IND vs ENG 4th Test.
Chopra delved on the matter on his Youtube channel and said Rohit’s did not point to any particular individual while making the comments.
“Rohit Sharma has said that this is the toughest format and if you have to succeed in that, you need a lot of discipline and dedication. He also said that it’s evident if someone does not have that hunger, but he was not hinting at anyone. If you hear his entire bite until the end, he also said that there is no one within the playing group or outside who is saying that they don’t want to play. So he was not taking potshots at anyone,” said Chopra.
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