The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will meet with captain Rohit Sharma and top selector Ajit Agarkar to discuss the framework for the next four years across all format.
India dominated the ODI World Cup, winning all 10 matches until losing in the final to Australia. According to TOI sources, the focus of the meeting would be Rohit Sharma’s future in white-ball cricket and developing the future leader.
At 36, the captain batted brilliantly in the 2023 World Cup, score 597 runs at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94.
TOI reports indicate that Rohit Sharma willingly chose to step back from the T20Is. India’s semi-final loss to England in last year’s T20 World Cup was the last time Rohit Sharma participated.
Concerning Rohit Sharma’s future in ODIs though, uncertainty looms. By the next World Cup in South Africa, slated for 2027, Rohit Sharma will be 40.
“Before the ODI World Cup, Rohit had communicated that he is fine not being considered for T20Is,” TOI quoted a source as saying. “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.”
“As of now, it seems Rohit will focussing a lot of his energy on the Test format for the next cycle of World Test Championship which runs until 2025,” the report added. “Grooming a captain for the longer formats is a key part of the agenda. With Hardik Pandya prone to injury, selectors may look for options in ODIs.”
The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan, and Team India will play only six ODIs in the coming year. However, the report revealed that the board and selectors will only plan for ODIs after the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup next year.
Ajinkya Rahane likely to be dropped from Test side – Reports
According to sources, the selectors are not keen on keeping experienced batter Ajinkya Rahane for the December Test series in South Africa.
Rahane made his long-awaited comeback to the Indian Test team in the WTC final against Australia. While he excelled with scores of 89 and 46 in that game, Rahane scored only 11 runs in the two innings that followed in the West Indies.
“The selection committee is very clear that it wants to groom players who will play together for a longer period of time,” the source stated. “With Shreyas Iyer coming back into the 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 wicket-keeping option.”
Before the two Tests begin on December 10, Team India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs in South Africa.
Before that, the Men in Blue, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, will play five T20Is at home against Australia, beginning on Thursday, November 23.
