‘Criticism se bachne ka tarikha’ - Fans react as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli get rested for 2nd ODI vs WI

On 29 July 2023, India locked horns with West Indies in the second ODI in Bridgetown. All eyes were on the playing XI as India took some questionable decisions in the series opener. Even, with the batting line-up, veteran players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gave up their spots for other batters as they got promoted.

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Now, in the second game, both Rohit and Kohli got rested as Sanju Samson and Axar Patel replaced them. Hardik Pandya got the opportunity to lead the team. However, the decision came out as a surprise for some fans as they shared their views. Speaking of the match, Shai Hope won the toss and opted to bowl first.

“Rohit and Virat have been playing constant cricket, so they are resting in this game.” - Hardik Pandya

After the toss, Hope said: “We are going to bowl first, we saw what happened in the last game. The conditions will assist the bowlers. We got two games to play, so we got to win this one to stay alive. It has been a bit unpredictable. Both teams have to play on the same surface. We got to bowl first and put them under pressure. Powell, Drakes is out, Alzarri and Keacy are in.”

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Regarding the final playing XI, Pandya said: “We were looking to bat first. We want to see how much we can score on this pitch which is a bit up and down. Rohit and Virat have been playing constant cricket, so they are resting in this game. They can be fresh for the third ODI. I think when you get someone out for 115, it's a good effort from the bowlers. Our catching was impressive, but we can improve in certain areas. Instead of losing five wickets, we could have lost only two wickets and finished the last game. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel come in for Rohit and Virat.” For India, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill came out to bat and they put up a partnership of 90 runs for the first wicket.               

Here is how fans have reacted:

India loss loading 🤲

— Aayu (@Aayu16526089504) July 29, 2023

My Respect for Ganju Samsung 📈📈

— Vaibhav (@I_AM_Vaibhav12) July 29, 2023

I thought rutu wud come in for Hittuu 😭😭😢😢

— N Y C T O P H I L E 💛 (@pranavvishu) July 29, 2023

💔

— Bhuvan Bam forever (@DeeprajDwibedi) July 29, 2023

Unnecessary experiments, same we did for T20 world cup and got nothing 👍

— Shubman Gang (@ShubmanGang) July 29, 2023

No place for rutu still

— AJAY. (@1000AJAY) July 29, 2023

Justice for Kohli 🐐

— gill.superfan (@gill_superfan) July 29, 2023

India loss button 👇

— Shreyy (@Sadly_shrey) July 29, 2023

Criticism se bachne ke liye ek match khila denge Samson ko ..phir??

— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla8175) July 29, 2023