India to play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs on the tour of Sri Lanka.
India's captain in ODIs and Tests, Rohit Sharma, ace batter Virat Kohli, and premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah are reportedly set to miss the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. India is slated to play three ODIs and three T20Is in July-August in Sri Lanka.
However, the BCCI wants the recent T20 World Cup-winning trio to take some more rest before returning for a full season in September when Bangladesh travels to India for two Tests and three T20Is starting on September 19. India will then also host New Zealand for three Tests starting October 14.
The tour of Sri Lanka features three ODIs and as many T20Is, from July 27 to August 7. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20Is, while Bumrah said that he will continue playing the format for the country. It is learned that the selection committee will meet next week to pick the team.
“Senior players can take some rest and get ready for the full cricket season ahead. Rohit, Virat and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September,” a source in the BCCI told The Indian Express.
After hosting Bangladesh and New Zealand, Team India will fly to South Africa for four T20Is between November 8 and 15. They will then travel down under for the five-Test series against Australia starting on November 22.
Additionally, the BCCI is expected to invite applications for the team’s support staff as the tenures of batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip ended after the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.
BCCI is also most likely to announce Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach as the delay is due to the board and the ex-cricketer being in the final stages of salary negotiation. Also, Gambhir will be given a free hand to choose his support staff.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah has stated that the new coach will join the Indian team from the Sri Lanka series.
(Indian Express report)