The Indian cricket team management is engaging in efforts to bring a rotation policy to the ODI side in the build up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. This development comes ahead of the ENG vs IND ODI series, which will serve as an important stage for the preparation for the marquee event next year. As per reports, the team management is currently attempting to convince senior cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul to accept the policy as it would allow the team to test other young players before the WC in South Africa next year.
Team India’s new strategy for ODIs: Rotation policy
As per the Times of India, the Indian team management has been attempting to convince the senior players over the rotation policy that they wish to adopt. Sources told the publication that the team doesn’t want a situation where a senior player breaks down mid-way through a series while no youngster is ready to take his place. The source claimed that Rohit Sharma might get a full run in this series but could lose his spot in the ODI side if he fails to perform in all three matches.
“The team management doesn’t want a situation where a senior player breaks down and there is no one ready with enough game time. The issue is that Rohit, Kohli and Rahul don’t play much of international white-ball cricket besides ODIs. Rohit may get a full run in England. If his form suffers here, he may not get that run in the following series,” sources said.
The team management reportedly also wants to have a back-up option for KL Rahul as wicketkeeper in the side. In the IND vs AFG 3rd ODI, Ishan Kishan was handed over the gloves while Rahul was rested.
Do or die situation for Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was last seen in action in the series against Afghanistan. He registered scores of 16, 48 and 79 in the three-match series, proving that he was still in sublime touch. However, the TOI reports state that the Indian team management wanted to rest the Hitman for the 3rd ODI against Afghanistan and bring Yashasvi Jaiswal in his place.
However, that did not happen. The report states that Jaiswal, who has been left out of the squad for the series against England, is very much in the plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. It is pertinent to point out that the selectors haven’t named a backup opener for Rohit in the squad for the upcoming series.
India squad for ENG vs IND ODIs
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav, Shivam Dube, Prasidh Krishna
Cricket
Team India want rotation policy in ODIs before 2027 World Cup, efforts on to convince Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
