The 3-match ODI series between India and South Africa is scheduled to start on January 19, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the squad for the series. The selection committee was expected to name the squad on December 26, after the conclusion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, but the announcement continues to keep the fans waiting.
It was then assumed that the squad could be named after the conclusion of the first Test between India and South Africa on December 30, but there still remains no confirmed news on the announcement. While the board itself hasn’t explained the reason behind this delay in picking the squad, a few rumours and reports suggest that the selectors’ meeting has been postponed time and again due to the lack of clarity on Rohit Sharma’s fitness.
The selectors, understandably, are keen to have Rohit available for the series, and hence, are waiting till the last moment to add the Hitman to the squad.
Is Rohit Sharma fit for the ODI series?
Rohit had suffered a hamstring injury during a net session ahead of Team India’s departure for South Africa for the Test series. The Hitman was ruled out of the Test assignment and headed to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for his rehab.
He would need to clear a few fitness tests before being deemed eligible for selection as far as the ODIs against South Africa are concerned. While there are suggestions that Rohit has cleared his first fitness test, the result from the final test is still awaited.
If Rohit fails to clear his test, KL Rahul will be leading the Indian team in the ODIs against South Africa. Rahul was earlier named the vice-captain of the Indian team in limited-overs cricket.
Which players’ selection is in focus?
Among the youngsters, opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer are in focus. Both of them were highly impressive in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 campaign. Gaikwad, in fact, had scored 603 runs from 5 matches at a staggering average of 150.75 with 4 centuries to his name.
Even Venkatesh has scored runs at an average of over 70 in this campaign, and hence, he remains in the fray for selection. Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan’s case is also in the spotlight. The southpaw had an incredibly poor Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign, and he continues to find himself being fazed away from the team across formats. The fact that Dhawan was India’s top run-getter in ODIs in 2021, however, might see the selectors giving him the nod for the Proteas assignment.
When will India’s ODI team be picked?
Though a date hasn’t been confirmed by the BCCI yet, the squad is likely to be named by the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee on December 31 or January 01.
