No matches were being played on July 8, but there was plenty of entertainment. We heard that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested in the India vs Sri Lanka series. KL Rahul or Hardik Pandya will also fight for the ODI captaincy in the same series. BCCI is also going to open up applications for the role of support staff (fielding, batting, and bowling coaches) very soon. Jay Shah may look to become the next ICC Chairman and Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan’s white-ball captain hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, we’ve also gotten to know how the prize money for the T20 World Cup will be distributed.
Rohit, Kohli and Bumrah rested for India vs Sri Lanka series
The BCCI has decided to rest three of their best players for the upcoming India vs Sri Lanka white-ball series. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah have been offered some extra time away from the game, and they have accepted it. The three will not participate in the series starting July 27 and will directly be in action for the home season, which starts in mid-September.
KL Rahul vs Hardik Pandya
With Rohit Sharma out of the India vs Sri Lanka series, it raises questions over who’ll lead the team in ODIs. Hardik Pandya, who’ll likely lead the T20I side following Rohit’s retirement, will most likely be named 50-over captain for the series, but KL Rahul isn’t far away. The wicketkeeper batter was India’s captain in the last ODI series (South Africa in December, 2023) they played and has been the vice-captain of the limited-over team in the past as well.
T20 World Cup prize money distribution
Each of India’s 42-strong contingent will be rewarded, according to reports. Each member of the 15-man squad will receive Rs 5 crore each, while the reserves will get Rs 1 crore each. Head coach Rahul Dravid will also get Rs 5 crore, while India’s fielding, bowling, and batting coaches will get Rs 2.5 crore each as well.
Head coach set, support staff next
With Gautam Gambhir all but set to become India’s next head coach, the BCCI will also open applications for the roles of batting, bowling, and fielding coaches. None of the current support staff is expected to continue, and we’ve heard that Jonty Rhodes is interested in taking on the role of fielding coach. Of the shortlisted candidates, the head coach will finalize his staff.
Babar Azam’s captaincy in Gary Kirsten’s hands
Pakistan’s newly appointed white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, has arrived in Lahore along with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood to decide Babar Azam’s future as Pakistan’s limited-overs captain. Babar was handed the captaincy after Shaheen Afridi lost a 5-match series to New Zealand (4-1), but he didn’t do much better as the Men in Green lost to the USA and India in the T20 World Cup and got knocked out of the group stage.
Jay Shah next ICC Chairman?
The current BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, has a chance to become the next ICC Chairman. Shah is expected to be elected unopposed if he decides to indeed put his name forward in the upcoming election in November. He’s shown interest in taking the role but isn’t certain about moving from Mumbai to Dubai and leaving BCCI.
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