Rohit Sharma scored 317 runs in five matches at an average of 105.67 at the 2018 Asia Cup. @ Getty Images
Rohit Sharma scored 317 runs in five matches at an average of 105.67 at the 2018 Asia Cup. @ Getty Images

After a successful 2018 Asia Cup campaign, both with the bat and as captain, Rohit Sharma was a hot choice to be picked for the two-match Test series against West Indies beginning on October 4 in Rajkot. Rohit, who captained India in the absence of Virat Kohli, scored 317 runs in five matches at an average of 105.67 thus finishing the tournament as the second-highest run getter behind Shikhar Dhawan (342 runs in five matches).

However, when the Indian team was announced, Rohit’s name was absent from the team sheet. The think tank decided to include youngsters Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari in the 15-man squad.

Veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh could not ‘digest’ the fact that Rohit was omitted from the squad. “No @ImRo45 in test team against West Indies..what r the selectors thinking actually??? Anyone have a clue ??? plz let me know as I can’t digest this,” Harbhajan tweeted on Sunday.

Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 and has played only 25 Tests for India. He has scored 1,479 runs at an average of 39.97.