As the T20 series against Afghanistan approaches, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee faces pivotal decisions, particularly concerning the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad for the upcoming World Cup in June. Both seasoned players have been absent from India’s T20 lineup since the T20 World Cup semifinal against England in November 2022, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the selection process.
The selection committee, which includes members Shiv Sunder Das and Salil Ankola, currently in South Africa, plans to consult with head coach Rahul Dravid, as well as Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli before finalizing the squad for the series against Afghanistan.
The scrutiny intensifies as approximately 30 T20 specialists, including IPL stars, are under consideration for the ICC event in the Caribbean and the United States. The decision to include Rohit and Kohli in the short series starting on January 11 in Mohali, or to assess their form and fitness during the IPL, remains undecided.
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Despite the desire of the two modern legends to feature in the T20 World Cup, the likelihood of extensive participation, particularly with the England Tests commencing on January 25 in Hyderabad, seems limited.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli are keen to play the T20 World Cup in June. [PTI] pic.twitter.com/nHgThnO9tT
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 2, 2024
“Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya aren’t fit. The Afghanistan series won’t tell you anything. Everything will be decided on the basis of the first month of IPL,” stated a senior BCCI source, emphasizing the importance of monitoring players’ performances and fitness during the IPL.
Recognizing the delicate balance of workload management, the BCCI understands the constraints in instructing franchises on player usage during IPL 2024. Consequently, 25 to 30 players are expected to be closely monitored during the two months of the IPL, providing the selection committee with contingency plans in case of injuries or fitness concerns.
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The newly-elected Mumbai Indians skipper, Hardik Pandya, might pose a unique challenge due to the unavailability of a direct replacement. The road to finalizing India’s T20 World Cup squad is filled with uncertainties, with the IPL serving as a crucial factor in shaping the team composition.
