India Cricket Team Schedule: India’s cricket season has not exactly been the best as 2022 comes to a close. The new year does, however, bring with it fresh optimism. The squads for the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, which gets underway January 3, were unveiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the ODIs after missing the T20I series due to a thumb injury. Hardik Pandya has been named the skipper for the T20I series and will have Suryakumar Yadav as his deputy. With the ICC ODI World Cup, WTC Finals, Asia Cup lined up for 2023, what are the challenges that Indian cricket team will have to face going into the new year? Follow IND vs SL LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
India Cricket Team Schedule: India SQUAD for SRILANKA series announced, 10 big challenges awaiting Indian Cricket TEAM in 2023: Follow IND vs SL LIVE
1. New Selection Committee
Following India’s T20 WC exit, the BCCI sacked the Chetan Sharma-led selection committee. However, they were then handed a two-month extension with the CAC yet to decide on the new panel. The likes of Maninder Singh, and Venkatesh Prasad are all in the frame to be named. BCCI are also looking at a new T20 selector, to lead their reboot in the shortest format of the game.
2. T20 reboot
India have not won the T20 World Cup since their inaugural edition success in 2007. In the two world Cups in 2021 and 2022, India were far from their best. That has led to a growing call for sweeping changes in the format. BCCI are mulling a new captain while a separate coach and selector are also on the agenda. Hardik Pandya is expected to lead the change, with a host of youngsters set to take over from seniors.
3. World Test Championship
India lost the inaugural World Test Championship final to New Zealand in 2021. Two years on, the Men in Blue have another opportunity at the coveted title. While yet to book their place, Rohit Sharma’s side are in pole position to boom their ticket for the game. The WTC is the only trophy missing in India’s cabinet and the Men in BLue could become the first team to win all ICC trophies.
4. ODI World Cup
India will host the 2023 World Cup late in October. The tournament makes its return to India after 12 years when MS Dhoni’s side won the title. A home World Cup comes with great expectations, and India will be expected to put on a good show. India have not won an ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy and 2023 gives them plenty of chance to break the duck.
5. Border Gavaskar Trophy
The India vs Australia rivalry has grown exponentially over the years. With a place in the WTC Final up for grabs, it is expected to be another cracker of a series. India have not lost the BGT in their last three attempts. Australia hasn’t won in India since 2004. An exciting four-match Test series waits.
6. Asia Cup
India had one of their worst Asia Cup performances failing to reach the final in UAE. The seven-time champions will hope to bounce when the tournament returns in the 50-over format. With multiple India vs Pakistan clashes on the line, Rohit and Co will be keen to seal the trophy for a record 8th time.
7. Captaincy succession
Rohit Sharma is India’s all-format captain at 35. Given the constant workload and his injury problems, India will have to look for a successor. Hardik Pandya is primed to succeed in T20Is. Kl Rahul meanwhile is the current vice-captain. A decision on the same is expected this year, with the new selection committee in place.
8. Rahul Dravid’s future
Current head coach Rahul Dravid’s contract ends after the 50-over World Cup. It hasn’t been smooth sailing for the former India captain with exits in the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. Furthermore, India do not seem the dominant force in Test cricket. A failure to win any of the titles on offer could all but end his reign as India head coach.
9. Call on seniors in T20s
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami are all in their 30s. The quartet has been part of the last two t20 WC defeats, while Jadeja missed the 2022 tournament due to injury. KL Rahul as vice captain has struggled to set the pace at the top of the order, while Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik had struggled. While not retired, a call on their T20 future is expected as India pursues their reboot.
10. Split coaching
England have led the way with split coaching and there are suggestions India could do the same. The Men in Blue have often had VVS Laxman chipping in for Rahul Dravid in 2022. A whole-together T20 side could be better suited to a more modern approach. Dravid or his successor could manage red ball and ODI cricket, while a new coach like Ashish Nehra takes over in T20s.
India Cricket Team Schedule: India SQUAD for SRILANKA series announced, 10 big challenges awaiting Indian Cricket TEAM in 2023: Follow IND vs SL LIVE
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