Rohit Sharma: India open to changing Playing XI in every T20 World Cup game

India Playing XI, T20 World Cup: While India have used 29 cricketers in T20Is in the past year, Rohit Sharma wants his team to be a mix, where players would be inducted instinctively and also based on match-ups.

Rohit Sharma with head coach Rahul Dravid and teammates during a practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, in Australia. | Photo Credit: PTI

India captain Rohit Sharma believes in flexibility in the playing eleven and is not averse to the idea of making one or two changes in every game during India’s T20 World Cup campaign, starting in Melbourne on Sunday.

While India has used 29 cricketers in T20Is in the past one year, some by choice and some by design, the captain wants his team to be a mix, where players would be inducted instinctively and also based on available database (match-ups).

“There are times like this time when we don’t have much information about how teams have fared at this time of the year. At times, you depend on your instincts and choose the player on current form and how he is doing,” Rohit said on Saturday, ahead of India’s much-anticipated opener against arch-rival Pakistan.

“But we also study a lot of data. I am open about my playing XI. I don’t mind having one or two changes per game in the playing XI.” The India skipper had no hesitation in admitting that they have not done well in big ICC tournaments and he termed it as a challenge rather than pressure.

“Pressure is constant. I term it as a challenge to win against Pakistan. Also we haven’t won an ICC event for nine years and with a team like this, it is disappointing,” Rohit added.