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Reports suggest that former India captain Virat Kohli is likely to be rested for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa and Ireland. Also reports suggest that BCCI will announce the squad for the forthcoming 5-match series on the eve of the IPL 2022 final in Ahmedabad.
The Indian selectors are set to try out some of the IPL performers in both South Africa & Ireland series, ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place later this year.
Umran Malik and Prithvi Shaw have been on the top of the selector's list and could be a part of the playing XI in both series. Abhishek Sharma is another player who could also be picked while Hardik Pandya might make a comeback to the Indian team.
Former India selectors MSK Prasad and Devang Gandhi with former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta expressed their views the on Indian top-order. “These three are indispensable if fit. There is no way that you can leave any one of them for the World T20. But yes, if I look at numbers, I might just try someone like Shikhar Dhawan at the opening slot and check Rahul out at No.4.
“He has a T20 hundred in Manchester some years back in middle-order, so why not. But yes, I want Virat to take a significant break and before the Asia Cup, he should be fresh, up and running,” Prasad said.
“These are your proven performers and when they play for India, it is completely different from the roles they have for their franchises. Also when we talk about changes, we should know who are the replacements? Are they good enough and better than those three in pressure scenario during a Pakistan game? You need to factor in,” Gandhi said.
“In Tests or ODIs, we normally find players, check them out and accordingly assign roles to them. In T20, you need to do the reverse. You first decide roles and then fit in players. "They can still play the trio as number 1, 2 and 3 but there has to be specific role which they should be told long before the tournament,” Dasgupta said.