Ex-selector shocking revelation on Rohit Sharma exclusion in World Cup 2011

They say, its not good to dwell on the things, especially things which have happened in the past and made you suffer.

Rohit Sharma is current Indian team Captain.

Regarded as the best batsman of white ball cricket, Rohit Sharma debuted in June 2007, but 4 years down the line when it came to the final squad of World Cup 2011, it came as a shocker for Rohit, as he was not there in the final 15 squad selected for the World Cup.

Now after 12 years, Raja Venkat who was part of the selection comitte led By Srikanth has cleared the air behind the Rohit Sharma exclusion from the World Cup squad.

The selectors have their 15 list ready, and Coach Gary Kirsten and Dhoni agreed to the 14 of them but when it came to the 15th spot, there was indifference between Dhoni and the selectors and coach.

While selectors and coach indeed have Rohit Sharma for the 15th spot, it was M.S Dhoni who wanted Piyush Chawla in the squad.

“When we sat to select the team, Rohit was very much in the scheme of things. Yashpal Sharma and I were in South Africa at that time because India was touring South Africa, and the other three selectors – Srikkanth, [Surendra] Bhave and [Narendra] Hirwani – were in Chennai. So, when we were selecting the team, numbers 1-14, every name was accepted by the panel. No. 15, we suggested the name of Rohit Sharma. Gary Kirsten also felt it was a perfect selection. But the captain wanted Piyush Chawla. So immediately, Kirsten somersaulted. He said: ‘I think that’s a better choice.’ So, that is how Rohit Sharma got left out,” Venkat revealed.

Venkat, who was part of the five-member selection panel including Kris Srikkanth, who was the chairman then, Mohinder Amarnath, Narendra Hirwani and Surendra Bhave, said that they were also disappointed that they couldn’t get Rohit into the squad but when the coach and captain wanted Chawla, the committee accepted the change.

“We didn’t get a chance to talk to him, but again we were also disappointed that we couldn’t select him. But when the captain and coach wanted Piyush as the 15th member, we all accepted it. Initially, we had selected the 15 which we all felt was the right one. Unfortunately, we had to make one change, and we had to give it to the captain and the coach,” Venkat said further.

Chawla played 3 matches but fans must have remembered him for his bittersweet over against England when they were chasing 338 runs. With 29 runs required of last 2 overs, Chawla bowled the 49th over and conceded 15 runs and took a wicket. The match was eventually tied.

Well Rohit was clearly fumed with his exclusion from the World Cup squad and he stated his disappointment on twitter.

Really really disappointed of not being the part of the WC squad..I need to move on frm here..but honestly it was a big setback..any views!

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 31, 2011

Though Rohit missed out on the 2011 World Cup win, this is the chance for him to really turn all the events and be a part of the World cup winning team and that too as a Captain.