Rohit Sharma on CSA opting for SA20 League over New Zealand series: ‘We don’t have these problems…Test cricket is something we all have to protect’ | Cricket News

Indian captain Rohit Sharma shed concern over Cricket South Africa (CSA) fielding an inexperienced team for the three-match Test series against New Zealand starting next month, with their top players prioritizing SA20 League over the longest format.
“For me, Test remains ultimate challenge and we would like to see best players playing that format but everyone has own problems to deal with and make sure there is a reason behind it,” Rohit said in the press conference ahead of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“I don’t know what the reason is (for SA not picking senior players) and in Test cricket you want to see best players being available but like I said I don’t know what internal discussions are in CSA but from my perspective, the priority should be given to Test cricket. It’s a challenge that you face everyday,” he added.
The visiting skipper was furthermore quizzed a scribe if he felt the ongoing issue concerned the Indian players given IPL’s stranglehold on cricket’s annual calendar. “I feel we don’t have such problems at this point of time,” Rohit would respond with a smile. When further pressed on the matter with the counter argument that it was the Indian cricket board’s responsibility to help sustain the longest format of the game.
“Test Cricket is something that we all have to protect and it’s not just one or two countries’ responsibility but all who are playing, keep it nice and entertaining. “Around the world, you can see some solid Test cricket being played and you have seen results everywhere and competitive cricket being played, so it’s everyone’s duty to ensure it stays nice and healthy and that is what people come to watch. That’s everyone’s responsibility,” Rohit stated.
Last week, CSA had come under scanner following the announcement of a 14-member squad for the New Zealand tour starting early February that featured seven uncapped players.
Cricket – Second Test – South Africa Press Conference – Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa – January 2, 2024 South Africa’s Dean Elgar during the press conference. (REUTERS/Esa Alexander)
All but two of the players in the side that beat India in the Boxing Day test are competing in the SA20 league but David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen will be going to New Zealand.
South Africa’s stand-in skipper for the second Test Dean Elgar, who will be retiring following the match in Cape Town, also termed the ongoing situation in South Africa as “not ideal”.
“The situation we’ve been put in from a cricketing fraternity perspective isn’t ideal and maybe the team that’s selected to go to New Zealand isn’t ideal for the conversation of how I see Test cricket,” Elgar said.
“It must be seen in that light as we can’t control what happens behind the scenes. It is out of the players, coaches and team management’s hands,” he added.
Also among those condemning the move was former Australia captain Steve Waugh, who told The Sydney Morning Herald, “Obviously they don’t care. It’s going to happen if the South African Cricket Board are any indication of the future, keeping their best players at home. If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?

“It’s pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Austalia this summer). They haven’t picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now. Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn’t play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakan didn’t send a full side [to Australia]. If the ICC or someone doesn’t step in shortly then Test cricket doesn’t become Test cricket because you’re not testing yourself against the best players,” Waugh added.