What is Rohit Sharma's T20I future?

As India readies itself for a cricket reset post the ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat, the BCCI and national selectors are set to discuss Rohit Sharma's white-ball future during Thursday's team selection meeting for the upcoming South Africa tour.

BCCI’s high praise for Rohit

• According to a report by PTI, the BCCI is urging Rohit Sharma to lead the Indian T20 team, despite his initial reluctance following the 2022 World T20 exit.

• This comes as the board and selectors decide squads for the South Africa series in New Delhi.

• Jay Shah, BCCI's secretary and selection committee convener, will meet with Ajit Agarkar, the panel chairman, to finalize squads and plan for the T20 World Cup.

Rohit to stay as captain?

• With Hardik Pandya out for another month due to an ankle injury from the ODI World Cup, the decision for the Indian team’s captaincy is becoming crucial.

• The selectors and BCCI are deliberating between Suryakumar Yadav or putting their faith in Rohit Sharma's leadership.

• Suryakumar Yadav is currently making his debut as the Indian team captain in the ongoing five-match T20 series against Australia, where India leads with two wins against Australia's one.

• Rohit Sharma has garnered global praise for his leadership and individual performance during the ODI World Cup 2023.

• Hence, Rohit Sharma appears to be the logical choice to take over the captaincy for the upcoming South Africa series and the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA

Does Rohit want to continue as T20I skipper?

• There were discussions about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli possibly skipping the upcoming T20 World Cup as they have not played T20Is since the 2023 World Cup.

• The team transitioned away from players like Rohit, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar following the T20 World Cup exit in 2022, a transition Rohit accepted.

• Rohit Sharma’s next T20 appearance will be during the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he will lead his team, the Mumbai Indians.

• Apart from Rohit, Virat Kohli is currently on an indefinite break from white-ball international cricket and will not participate in the upcoming South Africa series.

• With the T20 World Cup in focus, the selection of senior pacers for the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour is an area of interest.