The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has a tricky task to convince Rohit Sharma to lead the Indian team in the T20I series against South Africa. Rohit has not played a T20I match after India’s T20 World Cup 2022 exit from the semi-final.
Hardik Pandya, who led India’s T20I team in Rohit’s absence, is expected to miss the South Africa tour as he is still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained during the ODI World Cup.
According to a report on PTI, the BCCI’s secretary and convenor of selection committee Jay Shah will meet chairman of panel Ajit Agarkar in the national capital to discuss the squads as well as prepare a roadmap for the next big-ticket event — the T20 World Cup.
It must be mentioned that Rohit had earlier said that he doesn’t want to play the T20 format but the manner in which he led the side in the ODI World Cup has convinced the BCCI that he should continue in white-ball till the T20 World Cup in the Americas in June-July.
Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who is currently leading the Indian team in the ongoing T20I series vs Australia, will be named the captain in case Rohit refuses to lead the T20I side. The BCCI will announce the three squads for the South Africa assignment here on Thursday.
“Yes, there remains a question what happens when Hardik comes back but in BCCI, they feel that if Rohit agrees to lead in T20Is, he will lead in the T20 World Cup. In case Rohit doesn’t agree then Surya continues as captain for T20Is in South Africa,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
Former India captain Virat Kohli has sought a break from white-ball games in South Africa.
As far as Kohli is concerned, everything will depend on how he plays in IPL and ditto for KL Rahul, who will only play T20Is if he dons the role of a keeper-batter for Lucknow Super Giants in the coming season.
While the other question is the workload management as it is going to be a tight schedule as India will play six white-ball matches in 11 days — with three 50-over games in five days.
The Test series will then start in five days’ time on December 26.
“The BCCI has always given preference to that particular white ball format which has a global tournament in next six months. ODIs post World Cup is third priority and five ODIs is a lot.
“Hence if Rohit leads in T20Is, he might take rest to freshen up for Tests. It will be decided by sports science team,” the source said.
No surprises in Test team
When it comes to the Test squad, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are expected to make a comeback in the Test squad after the long injury lay-off. However, their inclusion will put Ajinkya Rahane in a tricky place as he might get the ace while there are very slim chance of Cheteshwar Pujara to make a combeack.
The only way Rahane can make it is if Rahul decides to keep wickets in Tests and Ishan Kishan becomes the second keeper, opening the doors for an extra batter in the squad. But at 35, whether Ajit Agarkar’s committee would like to look back is the question.
Rahul keeping wickets would mean that both him and Iyer can fit into the Test match-playing XI.
Jasprit Bumrah is fighting fit and wants to continue playing Test cricket and will have Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur for company.
Mukesh Kumar, who has impressed one and all, is a strong contender for the reserve pacer’s slot.
Ravindra Jadeja, as usual, will be the first-choice spinner in overseas conditions while Ravichandran Ashwin and one among Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav will complete the spinner’s lineup.
Kona Bharat, who has been very disappointed with the bat, will only get a look-in if Rahul doesn’t want to keep wickets.
(With PTI Inputs)
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