According to the latest reports from TOI, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma may rest for a part of the upcoming West Indies tour. This decision comes amid Rohit Sharma’s recent drop in form and fatigue, seen during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the World Test Championship (WTC) Final In England.
Sources close to the selection process have indicated that the national selectors are considering giving Rohit Sharma a break, either for Test matches or for the subsequent eight-match cue ball series consisting of three One Day Internationals (ODIs). and five International Twenty20. (T20I).
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The team for the West Indies tour is scheduled to be chosen on June 27, a day before the start of the Duleep Trophy in Bangalore. The tour will kick off with the first Test match in Dominica on July 12, followed by a second Test to be held in Trinidad.
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“Rohit seemed a bit jaded during the IPL and World Test Championship final in England. The selectors want him to rest for part of the West Indies tour. It is likely that he will miss the Tests or the eight-match (three ODI and five T20I) white ball series next. The selectors will talk to Rohit and then make a decision,” a source told TOI.
Rohit Sharma’s recent performances have raised concerns as he struggled to find his form during IPL-2023, scoring just 332 runs in 16 matches at an average of 20.75, with just two half-centuries to his name. Furthermore, he faced disappointment in the WTC final against Australia, scoring just 15 and 43 runs in the match.
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Ajinkya Rahane likely to lead India in Rohit Sharma’s absence: reports
The decision on Rohit Sharma’s rest period will be made after discussions between the selectors and the player himself. While the possibility of Ajinkya Rahane taking on the role of deputy captain during the tour has been mentioned, this will depend on Sharma’s availability. Rahane showed an impressive comeback during the WTC final, contributing scores of 89 and 46.
Additionally, fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are also likely to be rested for Test matches, although no final decision has been reached. This strategy is aimed at managing the workload of key players and keeping them updated for future assignments.
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There is also significant pressure on Cheteshwar Pujara to secure his position in the team. However, if both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are rested for the West Indies tour, Pujara might have a chance to redeem himself and retain his place in the side.
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It is worth noting that India’s tour of the West Indies marks the beginning of its campaign in the 2023-25 WTC cycle. The team management, together with the selectors, is interested in strategizing and maximizing the efficiency of the players for the upcoming series and future tournaments.
As the tour approaches, all eyes will be on team selection and the decisions that are made regarding player breaks and potential leadership changes. The Indian cricket fraternity is eagerly awaiting updates from the selectors and the captain himself as the team prepares to embark on a major tour of the West Indies.
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