It is probable that India’s forthcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka may lack the presence of notable players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah as they are unlikely to take part.
Both Kohli and Rohit have taken retirement from T20I’s alongside Jadeja after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, last month, in the USA and West Indies. The duo form part of an automatic selection with Bumrah in the ODI’s and Tests. However it will be years according to PTI before they can be considered in these two formats barring any changes- Virat Kohli and R Sharma being expected to skip Sri Lankan ODIs as stated by the report.’
The reason for this is that last three month for them has been a stretch since they started playing IPL from March. Importantly, Rohit has been active for six continuous months ever since the India vs. South Africa test series that happened in December 2023. He played in T20Is against Afghanistan then followed by Tests against England ahead of IPL and the World Cup.
“Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source at PTI disclosed to them that ODIs remain an automatic choice for the two and they have an opportunity to prepare themselves adequately through the three 50 over matches against England before Champions Trophy.They are going to focus on Test cricket for other months.India have planned 10 Tests between September and January,” BCCI source revealed to PTI.”
Before the Champions Trophy, India have got six ODIs to play by February 2025. Next year in January and February, England will be visiting India for a five-match T20I series and then a three-match Test series. Focus will now be on the Tests because in the event of India qualifying for World Test Championship final, that will be staged in 2025. Coming up, Men in Blue have two Tests versus Bangladesh while taking on New Zealand thrice prior to crossing into Australia so as to play the Border Gavaskar Trophy of 5 matches”.
“The Champions Trophy will take place later in January and they are not required to fly over to Sri Lanka for a week-long 3-match ODIs. If they prefer to go, they can go but they surely prefer to take some rest,” the source added. In Rohit’s absence alternatives for the captaincy are open with the likely candidates to be KL Rahul as well as Hardik Pandya.”
