Big Update On India Squad Announcement For IND vs SA Series; Hardik Pandya Doubtful

Following the conclusion of the ODI World Cup, attention now turns toward the T20 World Cup 2024. The India Tour of South Africa (IND vs SA) is set to kick off with a three-match T20 series commencing on December 10.

The BCCI selection committee are deliberating the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to T20Is for the T20 World Cup 2024 buildup, while uncertainty looms over Hardik Pandya's fitness. Suryakumar Yadav may continue as captain in Pandya's absence. The India squad for the South Africa tour is expected to be announced next week.

As per an InsideSport report, the squads for both white-ball series will be unveiled simultaneously. Yet, the Test squad announcement is held on until the India A series. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to join for the two-match Test series commencing on December 26. Additionally, selectors will deliberate on the India A squad for the red-ball tour of South Africa.

The emphasis seems to have shifted away from ODIs, possibly granting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma an extended break if they're excluded from the India squad for the South Africa tour. In this scenario, their return might be solely for the Test series. Both players have been absent from the T20I squad since the last T20 World Cup, with the focus swaying towards ODIs. This trend is expected to persist, given the limited six T20Is remaining before the T20 World Cup in June 2024.

According to Pragyan Ojha, the former IPL Governing Council member and India spinner, the management would plan to engage in discussions with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The committee values Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's opinions regarding future plans and their insights for the upcoming T20 World Cup cycle, following the conclusion of the ODI World Cup cycle. The intention is to prepare the team accordingly, aligning strategies and player roles for the new cycle, and decisions will be made based on these discussions.