With chief selector Ajit Agarkar meeting Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid in Trinidad on the sidelines of IND vs WI series, he will have a detailed discussion on players’ workload management. Two important players for Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 — Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill — have also been part of the discussion for IND vs IRE T20s. While the selectors are waiting for injury updates on KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah, it’s Hardik and Shubman who are all set to be rested from the three T20s against Ireland.
The next important question is who leads India in Hardik’s absence. With Suryakumar Yadav unlikely to play all three ODIs and all Asia Cup matches, he is the one. SKY is also India’s designated vice-captain. However, it’s Ruturaj Gaikwad who will lead India in Asian Games in next T20 assignment. Won’t it be better to hand over the captaincy to him for two assignments?
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“It’s a decision for the selectors to make. Ajit is meeting Rohit, Rahul and Hardik. They will discuss the plans for Ireland. He will also have a meeting with Laxman as he will be the in-charge in both Ireland and China. You can expect the squad this week or next week. We are waiting for a few injury updates before selecting the squad,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Who will lead India in IND vs IRE T20s?
- It’s all but confirmed that Hardik Pandya will not be travelling to Ireland.
- Hardik and Shubman are part of the National Cricket Academy’s workload management plan keeping Asia Cup and World Cup in mind.
- Both will play three ODIs and 5 T20s against West Indies over 17 days including travel to Florida, US.
- That is the reason, selectors and the NCA feel Hardik must be rested to keep him fresh for Asia Cup in Sri Lankan humid conditions.
- The designated T20 vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav is on possibility as he will not be featuring prominently in ODIs.
- However, in the absence of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, he has a chance to prove his worth in 50-over format.
- But he could get the nod to lead the side in Ireland.
- The other candidate for the role is Ruturaj Gaiwad. In September, he will lead some of IPL performers in Asian Games 2023.
- As the three-match T20 series against Ireland will be only series before Asian Games, SKY can be rested too in favour of the Asiad squad to have some quality matches.
“Surya is the vice-captain in the seniors’ absence. So, it’s up to the selectors. And the sectors and the NCA will take a call on Hardik’s workload management. He has just returned after a two-month break. Should he be rested completely? It’s a call they will need to take,” the official said.
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