BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasised the importance of star cricketers being available for domestic engagements when they are not on national duty. However, exceptions will be made for players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI is hoping that all other Test specialists will participate in at least one or two Duleep Trophy games in August to prepare for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand. The selection committee will choose the teams for the Duleep Trophy, with all Test team contenders being considered. It will be up to Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah to decide if they want to play in the tournament.
Hardik Pandya will lead India in the T20 International series against Sri Lanka, which begins on July 27. However, he will take a break during the subsequent three-match ODI series in August for personal reasons. Pandya was previously the vice-captain in T20s under Rohit Sharma, and he is fully fit and available for the T20I series.
Rohit Sharma has retired from T20 Internationals. The T20 series against Sri Lanka will be held from July 27 to 30, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7. The squad for the series will be announced soon. It is uncertain who will be Pandya's deputy, with Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav being considered as potential candidates. For the ODIs, Pandya has requested leave due to personal reasons and has informed regular skipper Rohit Sharma about his decision.
The official clarified that Pandya's break from ODIs is unrelated to any fitness issues, as reported in the media. KL Rahul, who led the team in the last ODI series in South Africa, and Gill are being considered for the leadership role in the ODIs.