There are certain white-ball tournaments that we have to prioritize – Rahul Dravid on the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is

After the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, India’s veteran batters – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – have not played any T20Is, which has casted a shadow of doubt on their T20I future. India’s head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that there are certain white-ball tournaments that they have to prioritize.

Dravid said the focus was on the six ODIs against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. This is the ODI World Cup year and India is also trying to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Hardik Pandya has been leading the T20I team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Both Rohit and Virat will be rested for the T20I series against New Zealand before the crucial Test series against Australia.

Rahul Dravid said in the press conference ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand, “There’s certain priority we need to give to certain white-ball tournaments at particular stages of time. With the amount to cricket we are playing – the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the World Test Championship – there are certain white-ball tournaments that we have to prioritize.

“The priority after the T20 World Cup has been these six (ODI) games and Virat has played all these six games. He will get a break, along with Rohit and one or two other guys in the next week while we play some T20 cricket. They come refreshed on the 2nd and we have a good week’s camp before we play Australia. So we just have to prioritize certain formats.”

On the other hand, Dravid showered praise on the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Dravid added Rohit has been a phenomenal cricketer for India as he has been consistent in the white-ball formats.

“He has been a phenomenal cricketer for India. I remember seeing him for the first time when he was 17 or 18, just came out of Under 19s, you could see that you are looking at something slightly different and he has gone on to prove that. You look at a lot of kids, who look different at 19 but not all of them go on to actually achieve their potential.”

Dravid added Rohit has a complete game in his repertoire as he can play differently at different phases of the match.

“His hallmark has been his performances in ICC tournaments that we saw in 2019 but also his ability that to score big runs, someone who has got three double hundreds in this format (ODI) is absolutely phenomenal achievement.

“He has been incredibly successful. He is someone who has got that kind of game. You can’t think of a kind of bowling to bowl to him. When he is playing well, you can’t bowl fast and short to him, he takes down spinners, he plays swing well. He has got a really good complete game.”

India will play the third ODI against New Zealand on Tuesday.