BCCI secretary Jay Shah has mandated that cricketers, when not on national duty, must participate in domestic tournaments. However, he stated that exceptions will be granted to high-profile players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Exceptions will be made for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah

The BCCI requires all Test specialists to take part in at least one, or multiple, Duleep Trophy matches in August. This will serve as preparation for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

“The Duleep Trophy teams will be selected solely by the national selection committee this year, without any zonal committees involved. All players vying for a spot in the Test team will be considered. As for top players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, their participation in the Duleep Trophy will be optional,” claimed a BCCI source.

Hardik Pandya will captain India in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, beginning July 27. However, the all-rounder will sit out of the subsequent three-match ODI series in August, citing ‘personal reasons.’

“Hardik Pandya, India’s T20I vice-captain in the World Cup, is now fully fit and prepared to lead the team in the upcoming three-match T20I series,” the source added.

Rohit Sharma has retired from shortest format after the recent T20 World Cup. The upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODI leg from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad for this tour is expected to be announced in the next few days.

While the choice of Pandya’s deputy is still unclear, the leading contenders appear to be Shubman Gill, who recently captained India to a 4-1 ODI series win over Zimbabwe, and Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team in last year’s T20Is against South Africa.

Regarding the ODIs, the team management has confirmed that Pandya has requested leave and communicated this to regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is also taking a break from this series.

“Hardik’s break from ODI cricket is due to personal reasons, contrary to the media reports speculating about his fitness issues,” the source confirmed.

KL Rahul, who captained the team during the previous ODI series in South Africa, and Gill are being considered to lead the ODI squad.