Vice-captain Rohit Sharma’s workload management and opener Shikhar Dhawan’s poor form are expected to dominate the deliberations when the national selection committee meets here today to decide on India’s limited-overs squads for the home series against the West Indies.
If all goes well, Rohit may get some well-deserved rest during the three-match ODI series against the Caribbean team so that he is fresh and rejuvenated for the tough tour of New Zealand next year where India will play five T20 Internationals, three ODIs and two Test matches.
Rohit’s workload will be the prominent point of discussion as he has played close to 60 competitive matches (including IPL) this year.
While the onus will also be on Rohit to give his viewpoint, the possibility of him being given a break in at least one of the two formats looks strong.
The other person, who might feel the heat is senior opener Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan hasn’t been in the best of forms since he returned to cricket after sustaining an injury during the World Cup.
Mayank Agarwal’s stupendous form in Test cricket and a very good List A career average of 50-plus and an above 100 strike-rate makes him a good choice to partner KL Rahul in case the selectors think of looking at the third opener’s option.
The soon-to-be 34 Dhawan is also not expected to be around for a long time.
Ditto for Rishabh Pant, who will don the big gloves with Sanju Samson close on his heels.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has already started training and if Pant can’t seal it during the upcoming series, he might face stiff competition from the 38-year-old legend once IPL comes calling.
With Hardik Pandya (stress fracture), Jasprit Bumrah (back surgery), Navdeep Saini and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (side strain) still recovering from their respective injuries, Shivam Dube and Shardul Thakur are expected to continue in the squad.
Spin bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Krunal Pandya — are also under the scanner due to their underwhelming performances.
With Yuzvendra Chahal doing well and if Ravindra Jadeja is not given another break, one among the two could get the axe.
India’s new T20 sensation Deepak Chahar is expected lead the pace attack but Khaleel Ahmed’s economy rate has been a problem.