Indian captain Rohit Sharma, star batsman Virat Kohli and fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah may be rested for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. In this situation, either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul can be given the captaincy on this tour. It is believed that the Indian veterans have sought leave from the BCCI.
Rohit has not taken a break for the last six months
Actually, it has been about six months since Rohit Sharma took a break. Hitman has been seen playing in every series since the South Africa Test series played in December-January. After that he was also seen playing in Afghanistan T20 International, England Test series, IPL and the recently concluded T20 World Cup. On the Sri Lanka tour, the Indian team will play three T20 (27-30 July) and the same number of ODIs (2-7 August) series.
Veterans will give priority to test matches
“Both (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) are natural choices in the ODI squad and the three 50-over matches against England before the Champions Trophy are enough practice for them. Both of them will prioritise Test matches in the next few months and India will play 10 Tests between September and January,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
India’s programme
India will play two Test matches against Bangladesh, followed by three Test matches against New Zealand and then the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
Competition between Pandya and Rahul for captaincy
The source said, “The Champions Trophy will be held in mid-February and he does not need to go to Sri Lanka for the three-match ODI series that will last for a week. If he wants, he is welcome, but I think he would like to rest.” Pandya is the most likely option to lead the Indian team in Rohit’s absence, but KL Rahul, who led the ODI team in South Africa, is also staking claim to the captaincy.