India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, and star batter, Virat Kohli, are expected to be rested for the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. In their absence, the team is likely to be led by either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul. Additionally, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is also expected to be rested during this series.
The decision for these key players to take a break comes after they asked for a prolonged relaxation duration from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following a severe 3-month starting from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rohit Sharma is currently 37 years old and has not taken any break in the last six months. He has been continuously playing for the country since the Test series against South Africa in December-January 2023.
This was followed by the T20I series against Afghanistan, the Test series against England, the IPL, and the recently concluded T20 World Cup. India’s cricket calendar remains packed, with 2 Test matches against Bangladesh, 3 against New Zealand, and the mega series of 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches against Australia in Australia.
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The BCCI source said anonymously: “Both are automatic choices in ODI set up and the three 50-over games against England before the Champions Trophy is good enough practice for them. For the next few months, they both will prioritize Tests and India will play 10 of them between September to January.“
“The Champions Trophy will happen in mid-February and they don’t need to go for a week-long 3-match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome but I guess they would want rest.”
The selectors and senior players intend to manage their workload carefully to ensure peak performance at some stage in these stressful schedules. In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya seems to be the frontrunner for the captaincy, although KL Rahul, who captained the ODI squad in South Africa, stays a sturdy contender.
The attention to workload management underscores the necessity of giving players adequate relaxation, specifically after a busy duration related to numerous high-stakes matches. This approach is vital for preserving the players’ bodily and intellectual well-being, ensuring they remain match-fit and in shape for upcoming tournaments.
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