Pandya to Lead Young Indian Side Against Afghanistan
In an effort to manage the workload of their top players, the Indian cricket team selectors are reportedly contemplating naming a second-string squad for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan. According to the news agency PTI, prominent cricketers like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj could be given a well-deserved rest during the three-match ODI series.
Although there were initial concerns regarding the feasibility of the mini-series due to India’s tightly packed schedule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems inclined to proceed with the series, which was announced by board secretary Jay Shah last month. In this alternate lineup, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to assume the captaincy role.
While the exact dates for the series have yet to be confirmed, it is anticipated that the matches will take place in the third and fourth week of the upcoming month. These fixtures are expected to be sandwiched between the highly anticipated World Test Championship final and India’s subsequent tour to the West Indies. In a proactive move to manage the heavy workload of Rohit, Kohli, and Shami, the board has decided to provide them with a well-deserved breather.
Considering that a significant number of top Indian cricketers are currently participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a two-month-long tournament, and some of them are also slated to compete in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval from June 7, it becomes evident that their inclusion in the Afghanistan series is highly unlikely.
Moreover, the Indian team is scheduled to embark on a comprehensive three-format tour of the West Indies in July, where a full-strength Indian side is expected to be fielded. This tour includes two Test matches, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), commencing from July 12 and extending until August 13. Following this, the team is also expected to play a three-match T20I series in Ireland.
Therefore, it becomes nearly impossible to accommodate the likes of Rohit and Kohli in the upcoming series against Afghanistan. This presents an exciting opportunity for IPL standouts such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, and Ruturaj Gaikwad to make their mark on the international stage and prove their mettle against a formidable Afghan side.
The President of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), Mirwais Ashraf, is presently in India to witness the IPL final. While his visit was primarily intended for an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, it is expected that the cricket boards of India and Afghanistan will take advantage of this occasion to finalize the details of their proposed white-ball series.
According to reports, not only might Rohit, Kohli, and even Hardik Pandya be rested from the subsequent Ireland series, but the workload of Indian players could further intensify due to the impending Asia Cup. ACC board members are scheduled to convene during the IPL final to deliberate on the fate of the Asia Cup 2023. This additional tournament places an even greater burden on Indian players, as they must strive to balance rest and recovery amidst a jam-packed calendar, all the while preparing for the crucial 50-over World Cup scheduled for October-November.
If the Asia Cup 2023 is indeed finalized for September, it will leave Indian players with little time to recuperate, as they are also set to compete in a three-match ODI series against Australia in the same month. This series serves as a significant opportunity for India to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
According to ‘Cricbuzz’, the BCCI is facing challenges in scheduling the Afghanistan series, which is proposed to consist of three ODIs. Time constraints and the expiration of the broadcast deal with Disney Star, for which a new tender is yet to be issued, have complicated matters. However, during an earlier interaction with the media in Mumbai, senior BCCI secretary Jay Shah assured that the BCCI media rights tender will proceed as scheduled this year, most likely beginning during the Australia series. The board will engage with all stakeholders involved and formulate an interim decision based on the outcome of discussions.
The selectors’ consideration of a second-string Indian squad for the home series against Afghanistan not only highlights the depth and talent of Indian cricket but also demonstrates the importance of managing player workloads in a grueling international schedule.
With promising youngsters vying for opportunities to showcase their skills, fans eagerly await the announcement of the final squad and the commencement of an exciting series against Afghanistan.
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