IND vs SA: BCCI to convince Rohit Sharma to lead India in T20I series against South Africa, Suryakumar Yadav likely to be backup choice

IND vs SA: IND vs SA: BCCI to convince Rohit Sharma to lead India in T20I: After convincing head coach Rahul Dravid for a contract extension until the next T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is eying to convince Rohit Sharma to continue leading Team India in the T20I series against South Africa. The reports have come following Dravid has accepted the proposal to extend contracts.

The BCCI top brass will hold a meeting with Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who is currently in London enjoying holidays, to discuss his future in the T20Is. The other agendas for the meeting will be the announcement of squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa and the preparation of a roadmap for the next big ICC event - ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

It's noteworthy that although India couldn't go over the rope against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 Final, Rohit Sharma's leadership garnered accolades from all corners of the world throughout the World Cup 2023. His determination and the way he led his side from the front have compelled the BCCI to offer him another shot to touch the glory.

Rohit Sharma, though, had, earlier, informed BCCI that he would be okay if he was no more considered for the T20Is.

Moreover, Hardik Pandya's unavailability for the South Africa tour is another reason why the BCCI wants to persist with Rohit Sharma. The all-rounder is down with an ankle injury and was reported to make a comeback in the Tata IPL 2024 only.

IND vs SA: If Rohit Sharma agrees, he will lead in T20 World Cup 2024

"Yes, there remains a question of what happens when Hardik comes back but in BCCI, they feel that if Rohit agrees to lead in T20Is, he will lead in the T20 World Cup. In case Rohit doesn't agree then Surya continues as captain for T20Is in South Africa," a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

The source also indicated the chances of Suryakumar Yadav being kept as the fall-back option should Rohit Sharma remain adamant about not continuing in the T20Is.

"If Rohit leads in T20Is, he might take a rest to freshen up for Tests. It will be decided by the sports science team," the source said.

The BCCI will prioritise the T20Is & Tests post the World Cup 2023. The ODI's will be placed third in the preferential order. If Rohit Sharma agrees to play the T20Is then he will be rested for the ODI and then lead the team in the test format.

The India tour of South Africa begins on December 10 with three three-game T20I series. The Twenty20 series will be followed by as many matches ODI series and to mark the end of the tour, two two-game test series will be staged, starting December 26.

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