India skipper Rohit Sharma is available for selection in the West Indies series. There were reports that Rohit could be rested from the Test series with someone else temporarily taking charge. However, a senior BCCI official has quashed those rumours. The bad news is that KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Jasprit Bumrah are all unavailable for IND vs WI series as they are recovering from injuries. Hence, Cheteshwar Pujara is set to retain his spot.
But despite Pujara’s presence, selectors will be keen to add someone like Sarfaraz Khan for the two Tests. With tons of runs in the Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz has been pounding on the door. But a place has been a far cry.
“Rohit is fit and available for selection. He will have a good break. So, there is no workload management concern either. He will lead in the West Indies series,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
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There have been speculations about whether Rohit Sharma will take some time off from Test cricket. His poor run of form has been the main point of concern. But with World Cup 2023 just months away, the Windies series could be the platform where he returns to form.
However, despite failing in IPL and in the WTC Final, Rohit’s stats say otherwise. In ODIs, he has averaged 49.27 in the last 12 months. He has a century and four fifties in 13 innings. He has also managed a strike rate of 111.52. In Tests, he averages 37.5 in just 5 matches he has played. Hence, it is too early to criticise his form as per the official.
“Yes, he hasn’t got many runs in IPL and the WTC Final. But he has done decently in the last few months. He got a century in Nagpur against Australia. He is taking care of his fitness. It’s harsh on him to be criticised based on form,” the official added.
IND vs WI Squad selection:
Meanwhile, the BCCI Selection Committee members will meet next week for squad selection. Team India will leave for the Caribbean in the first week of July. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who are on vacation in London will directly fly from there.
As for the squad, Rohit will lead in Tests and ODIs. Rohit and Virat will continue to be absent from the T20s. Hardik Pandya will lead a new-look T20 team with IPL performers getting a call-up.
- Shubman Gill is also unlikely for the T20s as part of workload management ahead of the Asia Cup and World Cup.
- In Tests, apart from Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Kumar is set to get a call-up while Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami could be rotated to keep them fresh.
- Umesh Yadav is also a question mark and it’s likely that Jaydev Unadkat will get game time instead.
- But it’s Ishan Kishan who is all set to make his Test debut.
- Ishan is at the NCA undergoing strength conditioning with KS Bharat set to warm the bench after failing to impress with the bat.
- Selectors will also discuss a plan to bring back Hardik Pandya in Tests.
- However, with Asia Cup and World Cup around, his Test return is likely only on the South Africa tour in December.
- For now, he will focus on T20s and ODIs.
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The post No REST for Rohit Sharma in IND vs WI Test, Cheteshwar Pujara to retain spot, Shreyas Iyer doubtful appeared first on Inside Sport India.
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