BCCI may have begun chalking out a succession plan as far as the reigns of the T20 team are concerned after the T20 World Cup debacle. In the meanwhile, Tests and ODIs are likely to receive Team India’s attention. The T20I team structure may undergo considerable adjustments.
After exiting the competition in the semi-finals after losing to the eventual champions England, Team India’s wait for a second T20 World Cup championship continued. After being questioned about the seniors’ future during the press conference, head coach Rahul Dravid declined to comment. However, it appears that some senior players may be moved out of the format after the T20I Worldcup.
According to a report by the news agency PTI, the board may decide to give Hardik Pandya the captaincy for much longer than originally planned so that the seniors can concentrate on Tests and ODIs. According to the article, the board would not compel anyone to retire but will progressively stop using its veteran players in T20I matches in favor of fielding a new side ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“The BCCI never asks anyone to retire. It is an individual decision. But yes, with just a handful of T20Is scheduled in 2023, most of the seniors will concentrate on ODIs and Test matches in that cycle,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“You don’t need to announce retirement if you don’t want to. You will not see most of the seniors playing T20 next year,” the source added.