The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering asking Rohit Sharma to take leadership of the T20 format in order to strategize and declare squads for the forthcoming South Africa tour. Despite Rohit’s initial reluctance, the team’s withdrawal from the 2022 World T20 semi-final, as well as their recent loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, has convinced him. According to a PTI report, the key meetings will take place in the national capital on Thursday between BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar.
With regular T20I captain Hardik Pandya out due to an ankle ligament tear sustained during the ODI World Cup, the BCCI must choose between entrusting Suryakumar Yadav with the leadership and relying on Rohit Sharma’s famed captaincy qualities exhibited during the recent ODI World Cup. According to the same PTI article, Rohit had previously voiced his desire in playing T20 Internationals, but his impressive leadership during the ODI World Cup has pushed the BCCI to explore extending his captaincy tenure until the T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to take place in the Americas in June-July.
On the condition of anonymity, a source within the BCCI talked to PTI. “Yes, there is some uncertainty about what will happen when Hardik returns, but the BCCI believes that if Rohit agrees to lead in T20Is, he will lead in the T20 World Cup.” “If Rohit does not agree, Surya will continue as captain for the T20Is in South Africa,” the insider said.
Virat Kohli Requests Break From White-Ball Games During South Africa Tour
It’s worth noting that Virat Kohli has asked for a break from white-ball games during the South Africa tour.
Kohli and KL’s fates Rahul’s selection for the T20Is is contingent on their success in the next IPL season. Rahul will play in T20Is only if he plays as a keeper-batter for Lucknow Super Giants.
The Indian team’s second difficulty will be workload management, given the compressed schedule of six white-ball matches in 11 days, including three 50-over games, followed by the start of the Test series on December 26.
“The BCCI has always preferred the white ball format, which will host a global tournament in the next six months.” The third priority is ODIs after the World Cup, and three ODIs is a lot. As a result, if Rohit leads in T20Is, he may relax to prepare for Tests. The sports science team will make the decision,” the person said.
The return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer from injury layoffs in the Test squad puts Ajinkya Rahane’s status in peril, and Cheteshwar Pujara’s prospects of making the cut are slim. Rahul’s ability to keep wickets in Tests may pave the door for Rahane’s inclusion. However, maintaining wickets in Test matches appears unlikely for Rahul.
Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur are likely to bolster the fast-bowling department, with Mukesh Kumar emerging as a strong contender for the reserve pacer’s berth.
Ravindra Jadeja will lead the spin department, which will be supplemented by Ravichandran Ashwin. Other candidates include Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Srikar Bharat, despite his poor batting performance, could make the Test squad if Rahul decides not to keep wickets. The final squad announcements and strategic selections will be made as BCCI officials convene to map the route for the approaching South African cricketing challenges.
