Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma: Different posters by ICC and broadcaster spark T20 World Cup captaincy debate

Soham Mukherjee

Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma: Different posters by ICC and broadcaster spark T20 World Cup captaincy debate image

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite not featuring in T20 Internationals since the 2022 T20 World Cup, have reportedly communicated their availability for selection in the shortest format to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

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The duo are likely to feature in the T20 World Cup in June and are eyeing the Indian Premier League (IPL) to prepare for the global tournament. 

But things took a bizarre turn when ICC (International Cricket Council) released its poster for the event after announcing the schedule on Friday. 

A cloud of uncertainty still looms over the captaincy of team India in the T20 World Cup 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially declared the full-time T20I captain and it remains a doubt whether Rohit or Hardik Pandya will lead the team. 

While Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the T20 World Cup, promoted the marquee India vs Pakistan clash with Hardik and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the poster boys, the ICC placed Rohit among other captains on its poster. 

 

Indian fans were divided on their opinion as a section of them slammed Star Sports for putting Hardik in the poster as they firmly believe that Rohit should have the responsibility to lead the side in the ICC event. 

 

 

India will play only three T20 Internationals against Afghanistan before the T20 World Cup in June.

Hardik and Suryakumar Yadav are unavailable for selection due to injuries for the Afghanistan series which necessitates the selection committee to appoint a new captain for the T20s.

It remains to be seen if Rohit will be handed over the reins in T20 or if a new face will be allowed to lead the side. 

Virat Kohli to be left out of T20 team?

With the India T20 squad for the home series against Afghanistan likely to be picked later today, the latest updates on the futures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to Sports Tak, are that Rohit could remain in charge of a young team while the management looks to move on from Kohli.

Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah to be rested against Afghanistan

In a strategic move, the selection committee will likely rest fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming T20 games against Afghanistan.

Despite playing crucial roles in India's recent victory over South Africa in Cape Town, the committee aims to preserve them for the Test matches against England as the team management prioritizes the fitness of these key pacers. 

The selection committee, comprising SS Das, Salil Ankola, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar is in Cape Town, preparing for the crucial selection meeting scheduled on Friday.

These developments indicate a strategic approach by the Indian team management and selection committee to balance player availability, rest key players, and plan for the upcoming series against Afghanistan and England.

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Soham Mukherjee