BCCI To Convince Rohit Sharma For T2oI Captaincy For SA Series Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024
Rohit Sharma with Jay Shah after the 2023 World Cup final (x.com)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials will likely convince Rohit Sharma to assume T20I captaincy for India’s upcoming all-format tour of South Africa. Notably, Sharma has not featured in a single T20I match ever since team’s crashing exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal in Australia.
Sharma recently led the Indian team at the 2023 World Cup, where the ‘Men in Blue’ had their undefeated run broken by Australia on the day of the final. The dashing opening batsman later distanced himself from team’s five-match home T20I series against the same opponents, indicating that the cricketer is reluctant from participating in next year’s T20 World Cup in West Indies.
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In spite of Sharma’s hesitancy, the BCCI is reportedly convinced by his performance and want him to continue as team leader in T20Is at least until the forthcoming ICC tournament.
BCCI to convince Sharma to assume T20I captaincy
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli distanced themselves from India’s home T20I series against Australia. Moreover, Hardik Pandya continues to attain full recovery from his injury. In their absence, the Indian team management appointed Suryakumar Yadav as skipper of a young ‘Men in Blue’ side for their maiden post-World Cup 2023 cricketing assignment.
As per a report from PTI, the BCCI brass is of the opinion that regular skipper Sharma should return to the side for next month’s series against South Africa. If the batting veteran extends his rest until the commencement for the Test series, the selectors will likely continue with Suryakumar as interim captain. A source close to the BCCI said:
“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.”
The report further stated that if Rohit Sharma does agree to participate in T20Is in South Africa, he will be rested from the subsequent ODI series in order to freshen up for the two challenging Test matches that awaits the Indian team.
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