Rohit Sharma Rumored as Potential Captain for Indian Cricket Team at 2024 T20 World Cup, Pending His Approval

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is hoping to convince Rohit Sharma to lead the Indian team in the T20 format, despite his previous reluctance. This comes after India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 World T20. The BCCI’s secretary, Jay Shah, will meet with the chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, in New Delhi to discuss the squads for the upcoming South Africa assignment and to prepare for the T20 World Cup.

With regular T20 captain Hardik Pandya sidelined for another month due to an ankle ligament tear, the BCCI has to choose between entrusting Suryakumar Yadav with the responsibility or relying on Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills, which received widespread praise in the past seven weeks.

Although Rohit had previously expressed his desire to not play in the T20 format, his performance as captain during the ODI World Cup has convinced the BCCI that he should continue in white-ball cricket until the T20 World Cup in the Americas in June-July.

A BCCI source revealed, “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.” Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has requested a break from white-ball games in South Africa.

The selection for the Test squad also poses some questions. Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are making a comeback after long injury lay-offs, which could result in Ajinkya Rahane being dropped from the squad. Cheteshwar Pujara also has very little chance of making the cut. The only way Rahane can secure his place is if Rahul decides to keep wickets in Tests and Ishan Kishan becomes the second keeper, allowing for an extra batter in the squad.

Jasprit Bumrah is fit and eager to continue playing Test cricket, and he will be accompanied by Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur. Mukesh Kumar is a strong contender for the reserve pacer’s slot, having impressed many. Ravindra Jadeja will be the first-choice spinner in overseas conditions, while Ravichandran Ashwin and either Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav will complete the spinner’s lineup.

The selection committee will also consider workload management, as India will play six white-ball matches in 11 days before the Test series begins on December 26. The BCCI has always given priority to the white-ball format that has a global tournament in the next six months, making the ODIs post World Cup the third priority.

Overall, the BCCI hopes to convince Rohit Sharma to lead the India team in the T20 format, while also making strategic squad selections for the upcoming South Africa assignment and the T20 World Cup.