BCCI shortlists 20 players for 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup, Rohit Sharma to remain captain

There is no imminent threat to Rohit Sharma’s ODI and Test captaincy as the BCCI brass hasn’t found anything unsatisfactory about his leadership in the traditional formats, according to sources on the board. Skipper Rohit, along with head coach Rahul Dravid, attended the review meeting in Mumbai.

The meeting was conducted by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Along with the last selection committee’s chairman Chetan Sharma, NCA head VVS Laxman, and president Roger Binny also attended the review meeting. Since the focus is the World Test Championships (WTC), where India has a good chance of making it to the finals, and the 2023 ODI World Cup, new T20 captain Hardik Pandya wasn’t a part of the meeting.

Hardik is in Mumbai for the T20 international series against Sri Lanka, which starts on Tuesday.

“Rohit is leading India in Tests and ODIs and there were no such discussions about his future as a leader in these two formats. Look at his captaincy record in Tests and ODIs and it is more than impressive,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

It was also decided that a pool of 20 players will be rotated till the 2023 World Cup.

“The BCCI has shortlisted 20 players who will be rotated till the 50 overs ICC World Cup,” Shah said after the meeting. In what could be a significant move by the board, Sharma, who attended the review meeting on Sunday, could once again retain his chairmanship of the senior national selection panel.

If not chairman, he is likely to be the representative from North Zone. The name of former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad is also doing the rounds from South Zone, but his induction in the panel isn’t a certainty. Sharma being included in the planning of the roadmap up to the 2023 ODI World Cup in itself is a significant development.

“First things first, if Chetan wouldn’t be told, he wouldn’t have applied in the first place. That itself is an indication. India has a World Cup to play in 10 months. Chetan and Harvinder’s presence will add continuity along with three new members,” the source added.

It is understood that SS Das, a former opener, is a big favorite from East Zone because of his 21 Test experience unless some other compulsions lead to the BCCI choosing a lightweight candidate from East.

From the West, Gujarat veteran Mukund Parmar, Salil Ankola and Sameer Dighe are engaged in a three-way race. The new committee will be named in the coming week.