New Delhi: India’s stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will not be part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series, as per a report in Sports Tak. The report claims that Bumrah will miss both the home T20I and ODI series against the Three Lions because of workload management.
Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat, who retired from T20I cricket after the victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the Americas earlier this year will take a break from cricket after the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Key players’ absence from England ODI series
The claims according to a source close to Sports Tak come as a surprise as the duel with England is the last series before the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. The England ODI series, which begins on February 6, after the T20Is, presents a perfect opportunity to prepare for the mega ICC event starting in Karachi on February 19 so it would be bizarre for the trio to take a rest in the last series before the comeback-tournament.
According to the report, the selection committee will make the final call on the squad after considering the availability of Rohit and Virat.
Selection committee’s crucial decision
Both Indian batting stalwarts have been struggling for runs on the Australia tour and it would be totally illogical for the duo to enter Champions Trophy unprepared and without runs under their belts.
It would make more sense for Indian team management to rest Bumrah, who has been a lone warrior for India in Australia. The ace speedster has outperformed both Indian and Australian bowlers and sits miles ahead in the wicket-taking list with 30 scalps. Australian skipper Pat Cummins is second on the list with 20 wickets.
The Champions Trophy, returning after a gap of 7 years, will begin on February 19. The 2025 edition of the mega tournament will take place in a hybrid model with India scheduled to play all their matches in Dubai. The semifinals and the final, if India reach the summit clash, will also take place in Dubai.
India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before facing arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23 in a high-voltage clash.
Group A comprises defending champions Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Bangladesh while Group B features world champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
Report makes bizarre claim as Indian legends Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are set to miss the England ODIs – the last series before the Champions Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
