Anurag Kumar
PTI reported that top Indian cricketers, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, could be rested for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home. There were allegations that the mini-series was in jeopardy due to India’s crowded schedule, but board secretary Jay Shah announced last month that the series is likely to go forward. The selectors are likely to name Hardik Pandya as captain of a second-string squad.
The dates for the series have not yet been announced, but it will likely take place between the WTC final and India’s tour of the West Indies in the third and fourth week of next month. Considering the heavy workloads of Rohit, Kohli, and Shami, the board has decided to give them a break.
The majority of India’s best cricketers are participating in the IPL, a two-month tournament, and some of them will also play in the WTC final against Australia on June 7 at The Oval. A full-strength Indian side is scheduled to travel to the West Indies for a three-format tour in July. From 12 July to 13 August, they will compete in two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is against the West Indies, followed by a three-match T20I series in Ireland.
It is therefore nearly unthinkable to include players like Rohit and Kohli in the Afghanistan series. This may create opportunities for IPL players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Mirwais Ashraf, the president of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), is currently in India for the final of the Indian Premier League. While a meeting between the members of the Asian Cricket Council is scheduled, the India and Afghanistan cricket boards may finalize the details of their proposed white-ball series.
According to the report, Rohit, Kohli, and even Hardik Pandya could be spared for the Ireland series in preparation for the Asia Cup.
The ACC board will convene on the sidelines of the IPL final to decide the fate of the Asia Cup in 2023, meaning that the workload for the Indian players will only increase as the 50-over World Cup is scheduled for October-November.
If confirmed, the Asia Cup 2023 is expected to be played in September, meaning that the Indian players will be hard-pressed to find time to rest and recuperate. A packed calendar has already resulted in significant injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer, with no clear timeline for their return. In addition, India will play a three-match ODI series against Australia in September – their second such series this year – to complete World Cup preparations.
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According to ‘Cricbuzz,’ the BCCI is unable to schedule the proposed three-ODI series against Afghanistan due to time constraints and the fact that the broadcast contract with Disney Star has expired and a new tender has not yet been issued. During an earlier interaction with the media in Mumbai, Jay Shah, a senior BCCI secretary, stated: “BCCI media rights tender will be on schedule this year (June-July) and will depend on the Afghanistan tour, but most likely the procedure will begin with the Australia series. The Board will consult with all interested parties and reach an interim decision.”
