Centrally contracted players must play domestic cricket if they are fit, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed.
Rohit Sharma will captain India at the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed this during a media event in Rajkot on Wednesday. He also stated that Rahul Dravid will continue as the team's head coach until the global tournament.
This will be Rohit's second time leading India at a T20 World Cup, having previously done so in 2022. During that tournament, which took place in Australia, India lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions England. Rohit did not play any T20Is in 2023 after his last appearance. However, he was selected to lead the team against Afghanistan in January 2024. This decision from the selectors indicated that Rohit was likely to lead the team in the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies in June. Shah confirmed this.
Shah stated at an event to rename the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium that Rohit's return to lead in the Afghanistan series after a year meant he would also lead in the T20 World Cup.
India, under Rohit's captaincy, lost last year's ODI World Cup final at home. Shortly after, Suryakumar Yadav led the T20I side against Australia. Suryakumar also captained India in the shortest format during their tour of South Africa in December, but Mumbai Indians later announced that Hardik Pandya would take over from Rohit as the franchise's captain. However, Rohit made his comeback against Afghanistan in January. Despite scoring ducks in the first two matches, he went on to score an unbeaten 121, becoming the first player to score five T20I hundreds.
Shah stated that although Rohit will lead India at the World Cup, Hardik remains the primary long-term option. Rohit's recall in the short term was necessitated by Hardik's injury during the ODI World Cup. Shah also mentioned that 'In T20s, Hardik will be the captain for certain [in the future]'.
He added 'Rohit has the ability.’ He showed it in the ODI World Cup where we won 10 matches in a row till the final. Shah is confident that India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, will win the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados.
Will Virat Kohli join T20 World Cup 2024?
India have recalled Virat Kohli for the T20I series against Afghanistan, with former pacer Ajit Agarkar leading the selection committee. Kohli returns to the format for the first time since the 2022 T20 World Cup.
When asked about Kohli's participation in the showpiece event in June, Shah stated that they will discuss it soon. Kohli missed the first match of the Afghanistan series due to personal reasons but played the final two games, scoring 29 and a duck.
He has since been absent from the England Test series for the same reasons. Shah stated that the BCCI will continue to support Kohli but did not provide any further details on his absence. Shah added that if a player requests personal leave for the first time in a 15-year career, it is their right. As Virat is not a player who would ask for leave without reason, Shah trusts and supports him.
Until the T20 World Cup, Dravid will remain as head coach
Dravid's contract expired after the ODI World Cup final last year. However, he was asked to continue to hold the position, along with other support staff, for the December-January tour of South Africa without a final contract. Shah confirmed that he had held an initial talk with Dravid before deciding to retain him.
Rahul Bhai had to leave immediately for the South Africa tour after the [2023 ODI] World Cup. Shah expressed his confidence in Rahul Dravid's coaching abilities for the T20 World Cup and dismissed concerns about the need for a contract for such a senior person.
He did, however, mention that the BCCI would hold further discussions ahead of the event. Shah acknowledged the busy schedule of back-to-back series and stated that he would speak with Dravid when there was time.
Will India be on the road to Pakistan for a CL clash?
When asked about India's participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled between February and March in Pakistan, Shah stated that it is not the BCCI's decision but that of the Indian government.
He added that India's decision to travel to Pakistan would be based on the government's stance.
Pakistan toured India for the 2023 World Cup, but in August-September last year, the PCB-hosted Asia Cup was played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with India playing all their matches in Sri Lanka due to strained political relations between the two countries. India has not traveled to Pakistan for a cricket series since the 2008 Asia Cup.
Contracted players must play domestic cricket
Shah stated that it is compulsory for centrally contracted players, as well as those in the wider India pool shortlisted by the national selectors, to participate in domestic cricket tournaments as directed. Shah recently granted Agarkar autonomy to make decisions on the matter.
Shah's opinion was sought because of questions surrounding wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan. Kishan has not played for Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy, although he was left out of the India squad for the ongoing Test series in England.
Shah stated that all fit centrally contracted players need to make themselves available for selection in domestic cricket. While not drawing attention to Kishan specifically, he will be sending out a directive soon. India will follow the advice of the National Cricket Academy medical staff regarding player fitness. No excuses will be accepted for not playing if a player is fit.
This applies to all centrally contracted players; they must play. The player cannot decide their future; the selectors must make that decision. If the player is skilled in red-ball cricket, they must play in that format.