India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka will see a fresh face leading the team, as star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are being given a well-deserved break. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is prioritizing workload management for these senior players in light of a jam-packed cricket season on the horizon.
This decision follows India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. Notably, Sharma and Kohli recently announced their retirement from T20I cricket, while Bumrah will continue representing India in the shortest format.
The Sri Lanka tour itself is a quick turnaround, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is squeezed between July 27th and August 7th. By giving these veterans a break, the BCCI aims to ensure they’re physically and mentally prepared for the upcoming challenges.
“We want the senior players to recharge their batteries and come back fully fit for the upcoming season,” a BCCI source revealed to The Indian Express. This rest period paves the way for their return in September when India takes on Bangladesh in a two-Test series followed by three T20Is.
Beyond Bangladesh, India’s cricketing calendar is packed. October brings a three-Test home series against New Zealand. November sees a quick tour of South Africa featuring T20Is, followed by the ultimate Test challenge – a five-match series down under in Australia. With this demanding schedule looming, the BCCI’s decision to prioritize rest for Sharma, Kohli, and Bumrah highlights their commitment to ensuring these key players remain in peak form for the major upcoming battles. This strategic approach could prove vital in India’s quest for continued success across formats.
BCCI to call applications for support staff
Meanwhile, the Indian board will soon invite applications for the team’s support staff as the tenures of batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip ended after the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.
The board’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has already interviewed two candidates – Gautam Gambir and WV Raman – for the post of head coach and only an official announcement is awaited. Gambhir is expected to take up the role, and the delay in announcement is only because the board and the former left-handed opening batsman are in the final stages of salary negotiation.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah has stated that the new coach will join the Indian team from the Sri Lanka series.
It is learnt that the board will give Gambhir a free hand to choose his support staff. It’s not clear whether the Indian team will have a batting coach going ahead, as Gambhir himself has been a successful opening batsman across formats. He was Kolkata Knight Riders mentor in their 2024 title-winning IPL season.
