BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has assured fans that senior players will be a part of the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy and World Test Championship final, should India qualify for both events. This statement comes in the wake of the recent retirement of veteran players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from the T20 format. Shah expressed his gratitude for the contributions of these players, acknowledging that their retirement signifies a transition for the team.
However, Shah emphasized that the decision on whether Hardik Pandya will succeed Rohit Sharma as the T20 captain rests solely with the selectors. He also lauded Pandya’s recent performance in the World Cup, highlighting the faith the board and selectors had in him despite questions surrounding his form. Pandya served as Rohit’s deputy in the T20 format, adding to the speculation regarding his potential captaincy role.
Shah’s statement indicates that experienced players are likely to be available for India’s upcoming ODI fixtures, which will serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan. This includes three matches against Sri Lanka (away), New Zealand (home), and England (home). India’s recent victory in the T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year drought, has bolstered the team’s confidence and spurred hopes of continued success. Shah expressed his desire to see India win all upcoming titles, emphasizing the strength of the team’s bench and their ability to field multiple competitive squads if needed.
With the future of the T20 captaincy still up in the air, all eyes are now on the selectors’ decision and the team’s performance in the upcoming ODI series, which will set the stage for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy.
