Newly appointed BCCI chairmen of selectors Ajit Agarkar is slated to travel to the West Indies ahead of the white-ball leg of the Indian tour of the Caribbean and discuss the team’s T20I roadmap with coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli.
The ODI World Cup comes in 2023, and it's only fitting that attention is being paid to the major competition now that India has settled on a core group of players. The team management has also begun taking proactive measures to facilitate the integration of the incoming players in preparation for the T20 World Cup in 2024.
As part of the transition phase, BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar is set to join the Indian cricket team in Trinidad for the 2nd Test against West Indies during where he will meet captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli.
“The time to bring in young blood in the T20 setup is overdue. They need enough opportunities and exposure before the big event to settle into their roles. Agarkar will make it clear to both Rohit and Kohli that they should concentrate on ODI and Test cricket," The Telegraph quoted a source as saying.
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Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not played in T20Is since the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final against England. India will play a five-match T20I series against West Indies in August followed by a three-match series in Ireland.
Allrounder Hardik Pandya has been regularly leading the team in the shortest format with Rohit continuing as captain in Tests and ODIs.
Reports have suggested that Agarkar will also discuss the road map for 50 over World Cup starting October 5 in Ahmedabad with Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. India will play Australia in Chennai on October 8 and a marquee clash against Pakistan is slated for October 15 in Ahmedabad.
Agarkar will be meeting the Indian team management in person for the first time and this will be an opportunity to sit a draw an elaborate blueprint on what will be India’s strategy going forward in 50 over World Cup.
“Currently Salil Ankola is in the West Indies but he will be back after the Test series gets over. Ajit will be joining the team before the start of the white ball leg,” a BCCI source in the know of things told PTI.
Discussions will also take place on whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit enough for the Ireland T20Is as reportedly, National Cricket Academy’s Sports Science and Medical Unit is yet to issue an RTP (Return to Play) certificate to the Ahmedabad-based speedster.
VVS Laxman will be the head coach of the Indian team on the tour of Ireland like last time with Dravid being rested after the West Indies tour.
(PTI inputs)
