India vs Australia: In age of WhatsApp groups surprised with communication gap on Rohit Sharma, says VVS Laxman

Former India batsman VVS Laxman said that in the age of communications and at a time where there are multiple WhatsApp groups among the players and Team India, it was strange and disappointing to be talking of a communication gap on Rohit Sharma’s injury.

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India vs Australia: In age of WhatsApp groups surprised with communication gap on Rohit Sharma, says VVS Laxman
India batsman Rohit Sharma. (PTI Photo)

In Short

  • Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the limited overs series after an injury that he picked up in IPL 2020
  • He, however, played the last three games for Mumbai Indians after recovering from the injury
  • Rohit Sharma has now also been ruled out of the first two Test matches against Australia

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has expressed disappointment at the way the Indian team management handled the issue of Rohit Sharma’s injury.

With major communication gap on the issue and even India skipper Virat Kohli later going to admit that they were never clearly given the details on Rohit Sharma’s injury, India will be without their star batsman for a major part of the Australia tour.

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Laxman said that it was very disappointing that in the age of communication and the times of multiple WhatsApp groups within the team, we are having to speak about a communication gap between players.

"I feel that in the first place he (Rohit Sharma) should have been selected and the communication gap is something which is disappointing. I am really surprised because in this age of communication where there are so many WhatsApp groups, there’s usually a group mail which goes around, I’m sure a group between the team management, the chairman of the selection committee and the in-charge of the medical team of the BCCI,” VVS Laxman said Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

"Usually, everything is updated to the team management and everyone is kept in the loop. So, I am not sure why is there a communication breakdown as far as this case is concerned and we are talking about two senior players,” he said.

Rohit should have been sent to Australia along with team, says Laxman

Laxman also said that ideally Rohit Sharma should have travelled to Australia along with the rest of the team.

"Rohit Sharma is a very valuable player in Test matches. So I would’ve kept him in the chain, subject to fitness, would’ve definitely kept him in the picture.

“Secondly, you could’ve sent him with the team after that, keeping the quarantine rules in mind. Because there is a 14-day quarantine, in the soft quarantine since you have been in the bubble in UAE. Then you move to another bubble [in Australia]. In soft quarantine, you can practice, train with teammates, hit the gym.

"But when you’re taking a commercial flight to Australia, you won’t be allowed to go out of your room and mingle and come in contact with people. So, I believe, the BCCI should’ve thought of this in hindsight,” Laxman said.