Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha have been dropped from India’s Test side for the series against Sri Lanka with the selectors planning for the long-term and opting for talented youngsters.
Rohit Sharma will lead in the Tests, which makes him India’s all-format captain following Virat Kohli’s decision to step down after the series in South Africa.
Selection committee chairman Chetan Sharma said Rohit was the “clear choice” and will remain the Test captain as long as he’s fit and available. He also asserted that there were no other names on the table for Test leadership.
“Rohit is the No. 1 cricketer of our country,” Sharma, a former pace bowler who played 23 Tests and 65 ODIs, said. “He plays all three formats. (What is) Most important is, how we manage Rohit. These days all cricketers are professionals. They know their body, they manage it well. We will definitely talk to Rohit from time to time (with regards to rest and workload), and when we spoke, he was absolutely okay. If such a big cricketer becomes captain, automatically we, as a selection committee, feel we can groom future captains under him.
“For us, the longer Rohit captains, we will be that much happy. Anyone can be injured, there can be a problem... But for now let’s hope that everything goes right.”
KL Rahul will not be available for the series because of injury. After experimenting with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain during the West Indies series, the selectors have decided to again try out Jasprit Bumrah for the two Tests against Sri Lanka.
It is clear that the selectors are looking to groom Rahul, Pant and Bumrah as part of the leadership group. There is no reason to assume that Rahul is the automatic choice to succeed Rohit.
“We made KL the captain in South Africa. Bumrah was the deputy in South Africa and again for the Sri Lanka series. In the West Indies T20Is, we had Rishabh as vice-captain. These are potential leaders to be groomed under Rohit. Yes, it is difficult to say who will be the next captain but we are sure a name will emerge,” the chief selector said.
Ravindra Jadeja, who got injured during the first Test against New Zealand, makes a comeback but Ravichandran Ashwin has been picked subject to proving his fitness.
Uttar Pradesh left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar earned a maiden call-up following an impressive A tour of South Africa. Kuldeep Yadav, who recently made it to the limited-overs squad, has found a place in the Test squad too.
Chief selector Sharma said they were not closing the door on any senior player but The Telegraph understands that it is unlikely that Saha or Ishant will be considered again. A consistent and noteworthy performance in the Ranji Trophy may open the doors for Rahane and Pujara, though.
Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill will be in the running to replace Rahane and Pujara in the XI in Mohali and Bangalore.
“Why not?” Sharma retorted when asked if they could force their way back into the Test squad. “They have played for the country for so long, why not? We have told them that we will not consider them for these two Test matches. I have requested all four of them to play Ranji Trophy.”
Jadeja, Samson back
Kohli and Pant, who exited the bio-bubble in Calcutta on Saturday morning after helping India clinch the T20I series against West Indies, have been rested for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Jadeja and Sanju Samson have returned to the squad.
