Following the five-match T20I series against Australia at home, Team India will travel to South Africa for an all-format tour.
India will play three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests against the Proteas from December 10 to January 7, for which the teams will be picked on Thursday (November 30).
Ahead of the multiple squad announcements, a PTI report claims that the BCCI will look to convince Rohit Sharma to lead the side in the shortest format on the tour of South Africa.
According to the report, Rohit had earlier shown his reluctance to captain the T20I side post the T20 World Cup 2023 semi-final exit. If he sticks with his decision, the BCCI will have another option in Suryakumar Yadav as regular T20I skipper Hardik Pandya is set to remain out of action for another month due to an ankle ligament tear.
The report also cited Rohit’s unwillingness to play the shortest format in the past. However, the manner in which he led the side in the recently held Cricket World Cup has convinced the BCCI that he should continue in white-ball till the T20 World Cup 2024, slated to take place in the West Indies and USA from June 4 to June 30.
"Yes, there remains a question what happens when Hardik comes back but in BCCI, they feel that 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," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
As per the report, India’s star batter Virat Kohli has sought a break from the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour.
Apparently, Kohli’s selection in the upcoming T20 World Cup will depend on how he plays in IPL and the same goes for KL Rahul, who will only play T20Is if he performs the role of a keeper-batter for Lucknow Super Giants.
Workload management is also a big factor as India are due to play six white-ball games in 11 days on the South Africa tour, before competing in the Test series.
"The BCCI has always given preference to that particular white ball format which has a global tournament in next six months. ODIs post World Cup is third priority and three ODIs is a lot.
"Hence if Rohit leads in T20Is, he might take rest to freshen up for Tests. It will be decided by sports science team," the source said.
As far as the Test squad is concerned – Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be reportedly making a comeback after a lengthy injury hiatus. As a result, Ajinkya Rahane might face the axe while Cheteshwar Pujara has very little chance of making the cut.
The only way Rahane can make it is if Rahul dons the keeping gloves in Tests, opening the doors for an extra batter in the squad. But it remains to be seen whether Ajit Agarkar's committee would look to back Rahane at 35. Rahul keeping wickets would also mean that both him and Iyer can fit into the playing XI.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has already proved his fitness and wants to continue playing Test cricket. Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur will be other fast-bowling options in the squad. Mukesh Kumar, who impressed one and all in his debut Test series against West Indies earlier this year, is likely to retain his place in the squad as a reserve pacer.
As expected, Ravindra Jadeja will be the first-choice spinner in overseas conditions while R Ashwin and one among Akshar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav will complete the spinner's line-up. KS Bharat might find a place in the squad if Rahul refuses to keep wickets.
(With PTI Inputs)
