Famous players for the forthcoming series against South Africa, including Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara from the test team and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the T20I and ODI squads, have been left out. Fans are wondering if this means that Indian cricket is entering a new era under the BCCI and Indian selectors. Scroll down to read Is it time for a new era in Indian cricket?
Is it time for a new era in Indian cricket?
What
Following a detailed and lengthy discussion in New Delhi between the BCCI and the Indian selectors panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, the teams for India’s upcoming all-format trip of South Africa—which will include three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Test matches—have been revealed.
The removal of well-known players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the white-ball squad (T20 and ODI) for the series, as well as Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, and Ajinkya Rahane from the test squad, has shocked supporters the most.
Suryakumar will captain the Indian team for the T20 series in place of Rohit, while he will captain KL Rahul for the ODI series against South Africa.
The BCCI decided to deny Kohli and Sharma the opportunity to participate in white-ball matches because the players themselves wanted a vacation from the shorter versions of the game.
This action indicates that they need to take a deliberate break from their cricket responsibilities, and it may even be a sign of their eventual withdrawal from ODIs and T20 internationals.
Is an exit of the greats the best choice forward?
Despite India’s loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both played brilliantly throughout the competition, with the latter even taking home the player of the tournament award.
Throughout the World Cup, Virat Kohli scored 765 runs, while Rohit Sharma scored 597 runs.
One may argue that these numbers should be more than sufficient to guarantee that both of these players are selected by the BCCI and the Indian selectors for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Test Cricket
Chesteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have been the Indian team’s steadfast cornerstones in both tests.
In his 103 international test matches, Pujara has amassed 7195 runs, whereas Ajinkya Rahane has amassed 5077 runs in his 85.
The age factor
In the game of cricket, age, and fitness have become crucial factors due to the abundance of skilled players in India.
T20s and ODIs
At present, Virat and Rohit are 35 and 36 years old, respectively, which is quite near to the recommended retirement age from forms such as Twenty20 internationals and One-Day Internationals.
Even the most seasoned and proficient player of the game may find that the intense intensity and rapid speed of these forms are too much for them to handle.
The fact that both players asked for a break may indicate how much the World Cup has been taxing these elite athletes.
Given the strain of the demanding World Cup schedule on their performance, it is clear that they need a vacation.
Tests
Players nearing their ideal retirement age are R Ashwin (37), Cheteshwar Pujara (35), and Ajinkya Rahane (35).
The World Test Championship in 2023–2025 presents a perfect opportunity to add fresh talent to the team.
Finding players who can compete for the team across the two-year competition may be essential to success, and this is something the BCCI has to be forced to deal with.
Making way for a new generation?
India is currently overflowing with young talent in all forms, and KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer are the perfect examples of experienced leaders among them.
Events like the 2024 T20 World Cup and difficult series, with games against nations like South Africa, offer Indian selectors a great opportunity.
To guarantee long-term, continuous representation for India now is the perfect time to introduce bright young players at the peak of their careers.
The team’s prospects for the future can be greatly enhanced by this tactical decision.
The BCCI would like to make the most of players who are now playing the finest cricket of their careers, such as Rituraj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Verma, by including them in the playing team.
Lack of T20I game-time for Kohli & Rohit
The last T20 international match in which both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli participated was during their 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final loss to England.
Both of them have not played for India in a T20 match since that game, and their sole T20 exposure has been in IPL games.
This may also become a criteria that is used to reward players who have participated in more T20 matches recently, as opposed to relying solely on players who have not.
When it comes to whether or not the veteran players deserve a spot in the Indian squad, their talent and experience speak for themselves, but now may be the ideal moment for the Indian cricket team to start a new chapter.
Also read, Jaydev Unadkat’s Domestic And International Career
