The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled its plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup and beyond, with Rohit Sharma confirmed as the skipper and Rahul Dravid retaining his head coach role till the global tournament. The news comes amidst lingering questions about Virat Kohli’s participation and India’s stance on playing in Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma Back at the Helm:
Rohit Sharma will captain India for the second time at the T20 World Cup after leading the team to a semi-final finish in 2022. His return to the T20I fold in January followed a period of rest and his captaincy stint for the upcoming tournament underscores his leadership prowess. While Hardik Pandya remains the long-term T20 captaincy option, Rohit’s experience and recent form make him a valuable asset for the World Cup push.
According to BCCI secretary Jay Shah,
“Rohit has the ability, we know. As he showed in the ODI World Cup where we won 10 matches in a row until the final. I am confident that India will lift the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy in Barbados.”
Kohli’s Participation: A Question Mark:
Virat Kohli’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad remains undecided. After returning to T20Is in January, his recent decision to opt out of the England Test series leaves room for speculation. BCCI secretary Jay Shah refrained from confirming Kohli’s participation, hinting that individual decisions and personal leave requests would be respected.
“We will talk about him [soon],” he said.
Dravid Extends Coaching Tenure Till T20 World Cup:
Rahul Dravid’s contract as head coach has been extended till the T20 World Cup, offering continuity and stability to the team. With Dravid at the helm, India aims to replicate the successes they achieved under his coaching during the recent ODI World Cup, where they reached the final.
“After the [2023 ODI] World Cup, Rahul bhai had to leave for the South Africa tour immediately. We did not get to meet in between which finally happened today,” Shah said in Rajkot. “Why are you worried about a contract for such a senior person like Rahul Dravid? Rahul bhai will remain the coach in the T20 World Cup.”
Shah, however, indicated that the BCCI will hold a few more rounds of discussions ahead of the event. “I will speak with him whenever there is time, there are back-to-back series happening right now,” Shah said. “They were in South Africa, then there was a [T20I] series against Afghanistan and now England. We did not get to speak in between at all.”
Pakistan Tour: A Political Tightrope Walk:
BCCI reiterated its stance on the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, stating that the decision depends on government directives. Political relations between the two nations continue to influence cricketing decisions, leaving India’s participation in the tournament uncertain.
“India’s position [on travelling to Pakistan] would be based on what the government decides,” he said.
Mandatory Domestic Cricket for Contracted Players:
In a bold move, the BCCI has mandated centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket tournaments. This decision aims to ensure match fitness and maintain a strong pool of talent. Rohit Sharma’s absence from the Ranji Trophy despite being dropped from the national squad highlights the issue, and a clear directive is expected to ensure all eligible players contribute to domestic cricket.
Emphasizing the importance of red-ball cricket, the BCCI has made it mandatory for identified players to participate in this format. The decision aims to strengthen India’s Test performances and ensure holistic development of talent.
While the central contracts come with the obligation to play domestic cricket, the final decision on player selection rests with the selectors, coach, and captain. However, fit players are expected to adhere to selectors’ directives, ensuring adherence to the new framework.
“I am going to write a letter tomorrow that if the chairman of selectors, coach or captain tell you that you have to play red-ball cricket, then you have to play. We will follow the NCA [National Cricket Academy] medical staff advice on player fitness. If you are fit then no excuse [for not playing] will be entertained.
“This applies to all centrally contracted players, they have to play. The player cannot decide his future, the selectors need to decide that. If the player is good in red-ball, he has to play [the format].”
This move by the BCCI underscores its commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of Indian cricket. With increased emphasis on domestic participation and a well-defined roadmap for the T20 World Cup, India looks to build a strong team capable of achieving cricketing glory in the years to come.
