Australian great Brett Lee said that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will be the key batsmen for the Indian team in the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli in the Asia Cup in UAE later this month.
“Two key batsmen for India in the Asia Cup – Shikhar Dhawan and secondly Rohit Sharma. I believe Rohit will get the best out of himself and also the team because he has been given that extra bit of responsibility to lead the Indian side,” Lee said in a statement issued by the official broadcasters of the Asia Cup, Star Sports.
Kohli’s absence will be a big task for India and especially Rohit to overcome, but the Mumbai-based batsman has the required experience of leading the team all the way.
“With Virat Kohli not playing, Rohit and Dhawan will be the two key men with the bat for India,” Lee, with the experience of 76 Tests and 221 ODIs, said while also backing Rohit to delivery in UAE.
Speaking about Kohli being rested for a tournament of the stature of Asia Cup, Lee believes that it’s the perfect opportunity for Dhawan and Rohit to step up.
“The great Virat Kohli is being rested for the tournament, so that allows Shikhar and Rohit to be pushed up. There is a lot of talk about how Rohit can’t face left arm fast bowlers – with the swing and the ball going across him,” said the 41-year-old.
