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There is never a stronger comeback than a setback.
With the upcoming series against South Africa, captain Rohit Sharma is expected
to start a fresh cycle after suffering three consecutive losses in ICC events.
Rohit has led Team India to the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals, the 2023 ICC
World Test Championship final, and an appearance in the home One Day
International (ODI) World Cup final after his much-discussed elevation to the
captaincy throne.
Under his direction, Rohit became the clear favourites
to win the ICC World Cup in 2023. India ended their 20-year curse against New
Zealand in the round-robin stage, recording a perfect 10 on the biggest
platform, and then exacted revenge for their 2019 heartbreak in the World Cup
semi-finals. However, Australia’s spectacular victory in the low-scoring final
at the Narendra Modi Stadium prolonged India’s trophyless record in ICC games.
India has ushered in a new era with Suryakumar Yadav
leading the Men in Blue for the T20I series against Australia, following yet
another heartbreaking World Cup. Due to an ankle injury, India’s T20I captain
Hardik Pandya is projected to be sidelined for another month from cricket. For
the T20I series, veteran players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and
Jasprit Bumrah have rested. Team India is scheduled to tour South Africa for
two Test matches, three T20I series, and as many ODIs.
As to a report published by the news agency PTI, the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is trying to persuade Rohit to
continue as captain of the shortest format. According to several earlier
reports, Rohit stated that he was hesitant to play in the shortest format. The
BCCI wants the 36-year-old to captain India in the run-up to the next T20 World
Cup, despite his “reluctance.” Rohit will be the clear pick to lead
the 2007 winners in the ICC World T20 if he commits to captaining India in
T20Is.
“Yes, there remains a question 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 told the
news agency. New captain Suryakumar has guided India to two wins in the first
three games of the Australia T20Is.