Following India’s disappointing performance in the World Cup finals, the BCCI is eager to chart a new course for the team’s future. While Rohit Sharma has been praised for his captaincy and fearless approach in the tournament, his decision to step down from T20Is opens up a new chapter for Indian cricket.

Rohit, who was appointed captain in 2021, had the primary objective of leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2022 and the ODI World Cup 2023. However, despite his impressive individual performances, the team fell short on both occasions, raising questions about the team’s direction.

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As per sources close to The Times of India, Rohit has already informed the BCCI that he no longer wishes to be considered for T20Is. This decision, while not entirely unexpected, places the BCCI in a position to groom a younger captain for the shorter format.

While Rohit’s immediate focus will be on the Test format, the Champions Trophy, scheduled for 2025, remains a possibility for the veteran opener. In the meantime, he could mentor a younger player to take over the ODI captaincy, especially considering Hardik Pandya’s injury-prone nature.

The BCCI’s decision to discuss Rohit’s future plans highlights their commitment to long-term planning and their desire to build a team that can consistently compete for major trophies. With the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the search for a new T20I captain is likely to intensify in the coming months.

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“As of now, it seems Rohit will be focusing a lot of his energy on the Test format for the next cycle of the World Test Championship which runs till 2025. Grooming a captain for the longer formats is a key part of the agenda. With Hardik Pandya prone to injuries, selectors may look for options in ODIs,” a source told The Times of India.