NEW DELHI: As the dust settles on India’s heartbreak in the World Cup final, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) will be sitting down with captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkarto recalibrate and make a pathway for the next four years across formats. TOI understands that the hot topic of discussion would be about getting clarity on Rohit’s white-ball future along with grooming a captain for the future.
According to sources, Rohit has already communicated to the selectors that he is fine with not being considered for T20Is. But with the selectors keen to invest in young blood, it will be interesting to see how Rohit sees his ODI career. Rohit will be nearly 40 by the time the next ODI World Cup arrives in South Africa in 2027. The next big ODI tournament will be the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. In the next one year, India are slated to play only six ODIs.
“Before the ODI World Cup, Rohit had communicated that he is fine not being considered for T20Is. The selectors have been investing heavily in youth in T20Is for the last one year. With the T20 World Cup happening in June next year, they are reluctant to deviate from that strategy,” her for a longer period of time. With Shreyas Iyer coming back into Test reckoning and Shubman Gill batting at No. 3, there is little scope for Rahane. KL Rahul too could be considered for the Test matches as he could be a backup wicketkeeping option,” the source said.
India are slated to play three ODIs in South Africa next month before a two-Test series. ODIs could be a good chance for the Test players to get acclimatized to South African conditions. Sources told that the board and selectors will get down to firming up a plan for ODIs only after the next IPL and T20 World Cup. The other major challenge is grooming a long term captain.
“As of now, it seems Rohit will be focusing a lot of his energy on the Test format for the next cycle of World Test Championship which runs till 2025. Grooming a captain for the longer formats is a key part of the agenda. With Hardik Pandya prone to injuries, selectors may look for options in ODIs,” the source claimed. The selection committee is clear that it wants to move on and create a pool of players. That’s why they have ignored Yuzvendra Chahal and Sanju Samson for the home T20I series against Australia.
Ajinkya Rahane in danger of facing Test axe:
It is learnt that the selectors are not keen on retaining Ajinkya Rahane — who was brought back for the WTC final last June — for the Test series in South Africa next month. “The selection committee is very clear that it wants to groom players who will play together her for a longer period of time. With Shreyas Iyer coming back into Test reckoning and Shubman Gill batting at No. 3, there is little scope for Rahane. KL Rahul too could be considered for the Test matches as he could be a backup wicketkeeping option,” the source said.
Hardik Pandya likely to be out till January end:
India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup are likely to be hampered with Hardik Pandya, who has been captaining India in T20Is since last year, likely to be out of international cricket till end of January. Pandya suffered a ligament tear in the ankle during the World Cup last month. Sources said that he is unlikely to be match fit in January. India are slated to play three T20I against Afghanistan at home in January before the five-Test series against England. In such a scenario, he is most likely to be back in action when IPL comes. term captain.
