'Toh yahan bhi toh test hi khelta hai' - Fans react as Sunil Gavaskar advices Rohit Sharma to take a break from IPL 2023 to return fresh for Test Championship final

Mumbai Indians (MI), a five-time IPL champion, have not had the best season in 2023, having dropped four opening seven games. Rohit Sharma, the captain of MI, is also having a bad game, scoring only 181 runs with a strike rate of 135.07. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar advised Rohit to take a break from the IPL and return for the final few games as their prospects of making the playoffs decrease.

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The illustrious batsman commented the day after the Indian Cricket Board unveiled its 15-man selection for the eagerly anticipated Test Championship final against Australia, which will start a few days after the IPL. Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma should take some time off from the current T20 league to prepare for the major tournament, which Team India would lead.

‘I think he needs a little bit of a break’ – Sunil Gavaskar

“Rohit Sharma should take a break and keep himself fresh for the Test Championship. Come back again for the last few matches, but right now, take a breather himself. He is looking slightly preoccupied; maybe he is thinking about the Test Championship. I think he needs a little bit of a break,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

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On Wednesday, April 25, MI lost to Gujarat Titans (GT) in the competition by a score of 56 runs. The match was won by the reigning champions, who moved up to second position in the standings while MI dropped to eighth. MI struggled to establish any partnerships as they attempted to chase down 208 runs. Rohit had a rough day at work as he was dismissed for 2 runs after 8 balls.

Speaking after MI’s fourth defeat of the 2023 season, Gavaskar said: “I would like to see some change in the batting order . It’s going to be a miracle that’s going to make them qualify . The way they are at the moment, yes, they could conceivably finish four, but they will have to play some extraordinary cricket, both batting as well as bowling.”

Here’s how fans reacted:

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Wo break par hi chal raha hai jaldi out hokar rest hi to karna hota hai use

— रामा-रामा (@vik704) April 26, 2023

Ye sabko break lene ke liye he bolta rahta hai 🤣

— Raj K (@imRaja41) April 26, 2023

While playing in ipl itself he is having a breather only. Hardly facing 5 balls per match😂

— vickram (@vickrammachi) April 26, 2023

Nahi lega vo Paisa chahiye na inlogo ko bs baki desh jaye bhad me

— SIDDHANT ☕ (ONLY SHIV MATTERS ) (@khilesh058) April 26, 2023

Rest of the players who have been selected for WTC be like pic.twitter.com/0vQ5dKe6Zi

— Vishal Deshmukh (@kaafiAverage) April 26, 2023

He should take rest from cricket forever. Can't bat Can't field Can't captain. Just eating a place of youngster in ipl as well as in Indian team.

— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) April 26, 2023

Mumbai Lobby trying to Shield their Rohit Sharma. They dont want him to get exposed .

He average in 30s in Tests and ODIs and 20s in T20.

Which othee batsman would have got so many chances if they failed like Rohit sharma

— Rohit_Live (@Rohit_Live007) April 26, 2023

Sunil gavaskar after seeing Rohit in next IPL match : pic.twitter.com/8wzKtZL0vm

— Abhay (@abhaysrivastavv) April 26, 2023