It has been reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to approach Rohit Sharma to lead in the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa. Rohit had led in the 2022 T20 World Cup but he hasn’t played for the national team in the shortest format since then.
In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya has been leading the team in T20Is. As the all-rounder is currently recuperating from an ankle injury, Suryakumar Yadav is leading against Australia in the ongoing five-match series.
Rohit will certainly bring experience to the table and it will be interesting to note if he returns to the T20I setup. Rohit has amassed 3853 runs in 148 T20I matches at an average of 30.82.
The talisman scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95. The talisman scored three fifties and one century in the ODI showpiece and thus he would want to carry the good form.
“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.
The source added that ODIs are the third priority for the BCCI after the conclusion of the World Cup and they want to manage the player’s workload with guile.
“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.
India will play the first T20I against South Africa on December 10th at Kingsmead, Durban.
