Format-specific squads on the radar of selectors
NEW DELHI: India's upcoming tour of Zimbabwe in the first week of July could signal the template for different formats. With
Gautam Gambhir
likely to take over as India's head coach, it is learnt that the national selectors are set to pick a T20 team for the five-match series with a host of fresh faces in it.
The likes of
Riyan Parag
,
Abhishek Sharma
and Yash Dayal could headline the squad.
Historically, the
BCCI
has always sent second-string sides to Zimbabwe in the last decade. But TOI understands that the new management is all set to look beyond the veterans and build a fresh team for the shortest format. Established stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will now be focusing on the longer formats with the WTC and
ICC Champions Trophy
next year in mind.
Sources told TOI that Gambhir has highlighted to BCCI the need to have format specific teams.
"Gambhir is very clear in his mind that he will need players specific to each format. When it comes to T20 cricket, he is not one to overlook consistent
IPL performers
. The seniors in the team will be needed for the longer formats for the rest of the year," a BCCI source told TOI.
Following the
Zimbabwe tour
, India are slated to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Sri Lanka. It is likely that India will have a full-strength ODI team. India have nineten Test matches—four or five at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand followed by five in Australia. A call on Rishabh Pant's workload will be looked at. Shreyas Iyer is also likely to be in the ODI squad for Sri Lanka. Sanju Samson could be the lead wicketkeeper in Zimbabwe while Dhruv Jurel is also in contention.
MAYANK UNLIKELY FOR ZIMBABWE TOUR
India's latest pace sensation Mayank Yadav is likely to miss out on the Zimbabwe tour. Yadav had set the IPL on fire with his blazing pace before being ruled out with a side strain. He is at the NCA with nine other young players who are being monitored. "Mayank is still bowling at 80-90%. It will be tough for him to be rushed into the team for the Zimbabwe tour. He is being readied for the Sri Lanka tour followed by a red-ball season," the source said.
GILL HAS FINGER NIGGLE
TOI has also learnt that Shubman Gill, who has been released as a reserve from India's T20 WC team, is carrying a finger niggle for some time now. "He has had injury on his right index finger all through the IPL. A call on whether he needs a surgery will be taken by the NCA medical team," the source said.
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