Senior Indian players, including captain Virat Kohli, are in line to be rested for the T20I tri-series in Sri Lanka, a report in TOI suggests.
The name of Mayank Agarwal to be included in the side looks even, considering his form.
The Karnataka batsman was the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy (1160 runs) and is also leading the charts in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (552 runs).
He scored 140 off just 111 in the quarterfinal with MSK Prasad and Sarandeep Singh watching him closely, sitting at one end of the stadium.
“Look, this thought (of resting seniors) has been crossing the minds of selectors. They also believe that it’s only logical to give rest to regular performers who have been managing the workload in all three formats of the game. The tour of South Africa has been tough on their bodies. The Sri Lanka tour offers an ideal scenario to rest some key players while checking the bench-strength. Don’t forget, all these cricketers would get busy for the IPL with their respective franchises and won’t get time to rest enough. The tour of England will start just a few days after IPL. We need our best on tough tours,” a source old TOI.
The last match of the opening T20I series between India and South Africa will be played on February 24, and the tri-series in Sri Lanka starts on March 8.
Considering that players would want rest, selectors will be kind to the players for Nidahas series.
“Virat Kohli is the only player who has played in all the games till now (against South Africa) and he is the front-runner to be rested.”
Should he be allowed to rest, Rohit Sharma will lead the team.
However, if Rohit is also rested, then team India would have to find a new captain.
“Since Ajinkya Rahane is not a part of the T20I side, Shikhar Dhawan might get a chance to make his captaincy debut during the series.”
He has experience of leading Delhi in domestic cricket.
Chances of Rohit getting a rest more than Kohli looks more as Kohli had taken rest for the Sri Lanka series, before the South Arica tour.
“On the other hand, Rohit has played continues cricket right from the tour of Sri Lanka, where he took over the job of vice-captain for the first time.”
Selectors are expected to announce the squad for the T20I tri-series at the end of the week.
After the end of the tri-series and IPL, team India has a long season ahead.
A historic Test against Afghanistan will kick off the proceedings followed by two T20Is against Ireland.
A long tour of England will follow. A home series against Windies followed by tours of Australia and New Zealand will keep India busy.
The season will come to an end with home series against Australia and Zimbabwe.
In short, a long season awaits Indian team and resting key players will be prerequisite for the selectors to manage the workload.
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