India's new T20 captain Rohit Sharma aims to groom youngsters

India and New Zealand will be squaring off in a three-match T20I series, beginning on Wednesday in Jaipur

India’s T20I captain Rohit Sharma said the team needed to groom every youngster and not just look at one or two spots.

India and New Zealand will be squaring off in a three-match T20I series, beginning on Wednesday in Jaipur. This is the first assignment for new head coach Rahul Dravid and full-time T20I skipper Rohit.

“Yeah, I think it is important to groom everyone. I understand the importance of a bowling all-rounder but you know, keeping one particular spot in focus is not the way forward. We just have to look at the entire squad we have and how we can fit in the players and how we can be effective as a team. For that, whatever is required and whoever can do the job, we will keep an eye on that player,” said Rohit at the pre-match press conference.

“You know it is not about one or two individuals and keeping an eye on them. It is about the entire unit we have. People who are playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, people who are back home, all of those guys as well. Keeping an eye on all players is important, we are going to do that and see whatever is required for us to be a successful team, we will do that,” he added.

Rohit said players will be allowed to express themselves in the middle without having to worry about losing their place in the team.

“I know it is the important aspect of the format where people have assurances of taking chances in the middle. If it comes off, it comes off and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It is where both of us (Rohit and KL Rahul) need to play a huge role and a huge part in terms of giving an individual assurance of going out and expressing themselves,” he said.

“It is an important part of this format where you need to play fearlessly and while doing that, there are chances you are not successful all the time. You are always challenged, pressure is there. We will certainly keep an eye on that aspect. The entire setup will play a huge part in this. You need to instill confidence even if someone fails, as long as they are trying to do a role for the team, we are happy,” he added.

“I know Williamson is a big player and he leads them well, but they have players who can take the game away from the opposition. You have seen that in the World Cup, different individuals have done well. Williamson will be missed for them, but they have 10 other brilliant individuals,” said Rohit.