Rohit Sharma is poised to lead India in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June, as disclosed by Jay Shah in Rajkot on Thursday, with Hardik Pandya serving as vice-captain.
The announcement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary puts an end to days of speculation surrounding the leadership for the global event in the Caribbean and the US.
“At this juncture, Rohit is assuming the role of an all-format captain.
This decision is unanimous, and the selectors are fully in agreement.
Hardik Pandya will continue as vice-captain for the T20 World Cup.
Consider a scenario where Hardik sustains an injury, as he did in the previous World Cup.
In such circumstances, who should we entrust with the leadership responsibility,” Shah explained.
He further noted, “Recall the Afghanistan T20I match, where we found ourselves in a precarious situation at 27 for four, but Rohit’s outstanding century turned the game around.
His capabilities are unquestionable.
While we won ten consecutive games in the World Cup, we fell short in the final.
It’s part and parcel of the game,” Shah reiterated, echoing his earlier sentiments at the event.
“I haven’t made any remarks about the 2023 World Cup, where we lost the final in Ahmedabad.
Nonetheless, I can assure you that under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India will seize the T20 World Cup in Barbados on June 29,” Shah confidently stated at the ceremony where the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium was renamed the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
Rohit, head coach Rahul Dravid, and several members of the Indian team were also present.
Shah’s declaration comes a day prior to the commencement of the third Test against England in Rajkot.
India aims to seize the lead in what has been a fiercely contested series thus far.
Pandya emerged as a strong contender for the captaincy, particularly after replacing Rohit Sharma as the skipper of the Mumbai Indians.
However, Shah’s remarks put an end to all speculations.
Shah also emphasized his intention to communicate with players regarding participation in domestic cricket.
Many top players in the country have been skipping Ranji Trophy matches ostensibly to maintain fitness for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
“This is a significant issue.
I will be writing to all players tomorrow.
If your captain and coach instruct you to play, you must comply and participate in red-ball cricket.
This directive applies to all players not at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
We will ensure that injured players do not risk exacerbating their injuries by playing red-ball cricket and jeopardizing their chances in white-ball cricket.
However, this directive applies to all young and fit players,” Shah declared.
However, Shah declined to single out any player, including Ishan Kishan, who has been focusing on IPL preparations.
“He is a young player… there’s no need to mention his name.
This directive applies to all players, including those under contract.
In the future, all players will have no choice but to participate in domestic cricket.”
Shah also mentioned that the new selector, for which the board recently advertised, would be appointed soon.
When asked if the new selector would be from the North Zone, he stated that it is up to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
“The team for the Test series is selected.
After this, there is no international assignment.
There’s the IPL.
But we will finalize the process, sooner rather than later,” he said.
Shah also offered strong support to Virat Kohli, who is absent from the ongoing England series due to personal reasons.
“There is no issue with Virat.
In a 15-year cricketing career, if one asks for leave for one series, that is his right.
Virat is not a player who will take leave without a genuine reason.
We need to back and trust our players,” the BCCI official affirmed.
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