Rohit Sharma Set To Become Vice-Captain Ahead Of South Africa Tour - Reports

Indian team’s opener Rohit Sharma is likely to be named the vice-captain ahead of India’s tour of South Africa this month. Ajinkya Rahane’s poor form could not only mean losing the deputy role but also his place in the side.

According to a report in TOI, the BCCI is looking to cut the 3-match Test series to two games and start the tour on December 26, instead of December 17. The delay is scheduled to monitor the spread of the new covid-19 variant in South Africa.

“The selection meeting will happen in a few days. It is likely that Rohit will be made the vice-captain of the Test team. The Indian team is committed to travel to South Africa. However, the tour will not go on as per schedule. BCCI has communicated to Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it could start the tour with the Boxing Day Test,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying.

The tour likely to be shortened with one Test and one T20I being removed

The BCCI official also stated that the two boards might decide to shorten the Test series and perhaps reduce the 4-match T20I series to three games. The originally scheduled departure set for December 8 could also be postponed.

“The tour will be curtailed. The travel plans are being worked out. It’s unlikely the team will leave on December 8. As of now, it looks like the two boards will have to compromise and agree to play two Tests instead of the initially planned three. Maybe a T20I could also be reduced,” the official said.

The head coach Rahul Dravid is also keen on having a few training sessions at home with the rested players, i.e Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Mohammad Shami, and Shardul Thakur.

Also Read – IND vs NZ 2021: Rahul Bhai Spoke To Me And Asked Me To Control What Is In My Hands And Said, ‘Go Out There And Give It Your Best’– Mayank Agarwal