The focus will soon shift to the two stalwarts of the game – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – when India take on South Africa in a 3-match ODI series, starting November 30. However, multiple injury concerns have intensified the selection meeting that is slated to be held on Sunday in Guwahati.
If reports are to be believed, the selection committee is set to meet in Guwahati after the second day’s play to finalise the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, selector RP Singh and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia are already in Guwahati, and the announcement is most likely expected on Sunday.
According to a report in The Times of India, after suffering a neck injury during the first Test against the same
opponents, the Indian team management is now deliberating on who will take over as stand-in skipper. Gill, who travelled from Guwahati to Mumbai on Friday, has been advised additional rest by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, but is expected to regain fitness ahead of the five-match T20I series against the same side beginning December 9. A fresh evaluation is scheduled for next week to monitor his progress and chart the next course of action.
“Unfortunately, Gill will not be available for selection for the three ODIs vs South Africa. He has been advised to get more rest by the specialists and continues to be monitored by the BCCI medical team,” a BCCI source told The Times of India.
With both Gill and Iyer ruled out, the men’s senior selection committee now faces the task of assembling an interim leadership group for the South Africa series. Star wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant are among the names likely to be discussed when the selectors meet in Guwahati in the coming days.
The current ODI lineup is heavily right-handed, and the think tank is determined to bring in a few left-handers who can alter the tempo of the game. With Iyer absent, both Pant and Tilak Varma could be competing for the No. 4 position, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to walk straight into the XI to replace Gill.
(With Agency Inputs)
