With India going down 1-3 in the Test series against Australia, murmurs have started coming as to what the future would be for senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, at a media conference, clarified that announcements regarding their future assignments will be made only after the Champions Trophy 2025.
Ajit Agarkar Speaking to the Press
Speaking to the media, Agarkar said:
Currently, there is a focus on the Champions Trophy to be played in a month.
Kohli and Sharma have been major contributors to one-day cricket for many years.
Post-tournament analysis will decide the roadmap of the team going forward.
Agarkar also insisted that there is a need to judge the team, rather than cribbing over individual performances.
Earlier, it was reported that Bumrah had issues concerning his fitness.
Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who suffered a back spasm during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, remains a major point of concern for the Indian team.
Bumrah to Miss Initial ODIs Against England
Bumrah has been advised to rest for five weeks, ruling him out of the first two ODIs against England in the three-match series preceding the Champions Trophy.
Harshit Rana has been announced as the replacement for Bumrah in the England series.
The medical team is keeping a close eye on Bumrah’s recovery, and updates are expected in early February.
Bumrah has been included in India’s provisional squad for the Champions Trophy despite these setbacks.
Other Squad Updates
Kuldeep Yadav Return
Recovery specialist Kuldeep Yadav, who had been nursing a groin injury since October, has made it into the India squad for the Champions Trophy. This is expected to boost India’s spin department.
Rishabh Pant’s Inclusion
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who has been left out of the T20 series against England, has made it to the Champions Trophy team. His presence would add strength to India’s middle order and give an experienced option behind the wickets.
Future Planning and Senior Player Roles
Ajit Agarkar, who was appointed along with head coach Gautam Gambhir for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, will stay put and assess the performance of the team. He and Gambhir will work together to plan the road ahead for the team, focusing on the next ICC events and the World Test Championship cycle ahead.
Post-Champions Trophy, the BCCI should sit with Kohli and co, and understand the long-term team plans so that roles for seniors as Kohli and Sharma are properly understood and decided.
The Indian team for the Champions Trophy is a mix of recovery and inclusion, while moves on senior players are to come post-tournament. With Jasprit Bumrah in question about fitness, Harshit Rana’s rise is for the England ODIs, and the latter prepares for crucial matches.