Mumbai: Now that the T20 World Cup is over, the focus shifts to the bilateral series. India are already playing Zimbabwe after which they take on Sri Lanka in a home series. India’s premier batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is likely to skip that series. As per a report in the Indian Express, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) wants the two stalwarts to get more rest and be fresh for the home season. The same report suggests that Rohit and Kohli would return to the squad during the series versus Bangladesh in September.
“Senior players can take some rest and get ready for the full cricket season ahead. Rohit, Virat and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September,” a source in the BCCI told The Indian Express.
“Both are automatic choices in ODI set up and the three 50 over games against England before the Champions Trophy is good enough practice for them. For next few months, they both will prioritize Tests and India will play 10 of them between September to January,” a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source told PTI.
“The Champions Trophy will happen in mid February and they don’t need to go for a week-long 3 match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome but I guess they would want rest,” the source added.
The report also suggests that Gautam Gambhir would take over as India’s head coach during the Sri Lanka series.
