The news that Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma will not be joining India on their forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka is a significant one for Indian cricket.
The Indian team will return to action for the entire season in September when they play Bangladesh in two Test matches and three Twenty20 Internationals starting on September 19. A report claims that the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) wants the captain of the team, along with Kohli and Bumrah, to take some time off.
Notably, India’s July 27–August 7 tour to Sri Lanka consists of three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and the same number of Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Following their victory in the T20 World Cup, Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from Twenty20 international cricket. It has been reported that the selection committee will convene shortly to pick the tour squad.
“Senior players can relax and prepare for the upcoming cricket season.” The Indian Express cited an insider as stating, “Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September.”
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In addition, India will host New Zealand for three Test matches at home from October 16–November 5 following the September series against Bangladesh. Following that, from November 8–15, they will embark on a four-match Twenty20 International tour of South Africa, followed on November 22 by a five-match Test series in Australia.
BCCI is seeking applications for support staff.
After the T20 World Cup, the contracts of fielding coach T Dilip, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and batting coach Vikram Rathour expired, therefore the BCCI recently issued a call for applicants to fill the positions of the team’s support staff.
Gautam Gambir and WV Raman are the two applicants the board has already interviewed for the head coach position; an official announcement is still pending. Notably, Jay Shah just announced that the new head coach of India will travel with the team to Sri Lanka.