The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up for crucial discussions with skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to outline India’s cricket roadmap across formats for the next four years.
India’s remarkable journey at the ODI World Cup, triumphing in all 10 matches before the heart-wrenching loss to Australia in the final, sets the stage for pivotal discussions. The focus will revolve around Rohit’s role in white-ball cricket and the strategic grooming of the next captain.
At 36, Rohit showcased an exceptional performance in the 2023 World Cup, amassing 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94.
Reportedly, Rohit has indicated his willingness to opt out of T20Is, having not featured since India’s T20 World Cup semi-final defeat against England last year.
Speculation looms over Rohit’s future in ODIs, given his age nearing 40 by the next World Cup in 2027. Sources suggest his focus might shift towards Test cricket for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle ending in 2025, emphasizing the need to groom a captain for the longer formats.
The board aims to strategize around ODIs post the IPL 2024 and the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the 2025 Champions Trophy looming as the next major ODI tournament for Team India, where they are scheduled to play only six ODIs in the coming year.
In parallel, selectors are seemingly inclined towards omitting Ajinkya Rahane from the Test series in South Africa this December. Rahane’s return to the Test side during the WTC final against Australia showcased promise with noteworthy scores. However, recent outings in the West Indies saw a dip in his performance, leading selectors to focus on a younger core.
“With Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill stepping up, there’s limited space for Rahane,” cited a TOI source, emphasizing the selectors’ intent to nurture players for a sustained tenure. The return of KL Rahul also poses a potential consideration for Test matches, given his versatility as a backup wicket-keeping option.
India’s immediate schedule includes a series against Australia, comprising five T20Is, led by Suryakumar Yadav, before the team heads to South Africa for three T20Is and ODIs each, followed by two Tests starting on December 10.
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