IND vs SA 2021: Top 5 Matters To be Discussed by BCCI for India’s tour of South Africa | Check Out


IND vs SA 2021: India’s tour to South Africa will begin from the 26th of December. Here are the 5 major points which will be discussed by the BCCI later this week!

As India will look forward to touring South Africa starting the 26th December, BCCI will meet this week to discuss certain important matters relating to squad selection.

Here are 5 such points which will be taken under consideration by the board:

#5 – Shikhar Dhawan’s Selection in ODIs

The southpaw from Delhi has been a stalwart for India in ODIs. He has scored 6,105 runs in 145 ODIs at an average of 45.56.

However, with him turning 36 yesterday and many new alternatives coming up in the opening slot, the board will have to make a decision.

They can either give Dhawan one last go, or start looking at options like KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, or even young upstarts like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal.

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#4 – Ishant Sharma’s Selection in Tests

Much like Dhawan in ODIs, Ishant has been a senior statesman for the team in Tests. In 105 Tests, he has obtained 311 wickets at an average of 32.41.

However, in recent matches, the 33-year-old has looked a shadow of his former self. He has not been too effective with ball in hand, and has had to go through injuries/niggles.

With India’s fast-bowling reserves growing exponentially in the last few years, the board can decide to start looking for other options.

#3 – Rohit for Test vice-captaincy

Ajinkya Rahane has been out of form for quite some time now. He has not played any innings of note ever since the century at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year.

There have been a lot of questions around the Test vice-captain’s place in the team. Will the board finally decide to pull the plug on him, and make Rohit Sharma the deputy to Virat Kohli?

#2 – Backup Number 3 for Tests

Much like Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara’s place is also questioned in the Test squad. It has been almost 3 years since he scored his last century in Tests.

However, with certain half centuries in England and also a couple of good knocks in the ongoing series against New Zealand have saved him the axe as of now.

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However, BCCI will definitely contemplate carrying a back-up to Pujara’s position, to South Africa. We can see someone like a Suryakumar Yadav, or a Mayank Agarwal being taken as the back-up number 3.

#1 – Virat Kohli’s ODI Captaincy

Kohli had earlier this year stepped down from T20 captaincy of India. However, the board might consider making one captain for both white-ball formats, and retaining Kohli as the Test skipper.

In order to ensure consistency within the two formats of white-ball cricket, the BCCI might consider making Rohit the captain for ODIs as well. However, this is just a possibility at the moment, and something the board might only discuss and not act upon just yet.

So these are the 5 matters that the BCCI will discuss ahead of India’s tour to South Africa!