"I feel for him but unfortunately.....": Rohit Sharma's savage reply on Shoaib Bashir's visa issues

NewsBharati 24-Jan-2024 15:01:23 PM

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A controversy erupted after Shoaib Bashir, the 20-year-old England off-spinner, had to fly back home as his Indian visa was delayed. Bashir, with a family of Pakistani heritage, had been part of the squad in Abu Dhabi but couldn't proceed to India as his visa is yet to be approved.

Bashir will now miss the first Test of the series against India, which begins on January 25. England captain Ben Stokes was frustrated as he stated that it was ‘devastating’ not to have the young off-spinner with the side.

On Wednesday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also asked about Bashir's absence from the travelling squad for the opening Test in Hyderabad.

"I feel for him. He's coming here with the England setup for the first time. It's not easy for anyone. If it were one of our guys coming to England, and the visa was denied (it would be the same). Unfortunately, I don't sit in the visa office to give more details on that. But I hope he can make it here quickly, enjoy our country and play some cricket as well," said Rohit.

Rohit Sharma said "We thought of going back to an experienced player to fill Kohli's absence but then when will we give the youngsters the chance as we don't want them to be exposed directly in foreign countries". [JioCinema] pic.twitter.com/PNHqugSHKZ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 24, 2024

Earlier, Stokes said, “As captain, I find it particularly frustrating. We announced the squad in mid-December, and now Bash finds himself without a visa to get here. He's not the first cricketer to go through this,” the England captain had said. “I have played with a lot of people who have had the same issues.”