India's captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli are expected to sit out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. Instead, either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul could take up the mantle of leading the team in their absence.
Additionally, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested from the ODI series as well. Sources indicate that these decisions stem from the players' request for a much-needed break, considering the intense schedule over the past three months, starting from the IPL.
Rohit Sharma, aged 37, has been particularly active, having not taken a substantial break in nearly six months. He has been involved in every series since the South Africa Test series in December-January, followed by the Afghanistan T20Is, England Test series, IPL, and the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
"Both are automatic choices in ODI set up and the three 50 over games against England before the Champions Trophy is good enough practice for them. For next few months, they both will prioritize Tests and India will play 10 of them between September to January," revealed a BCCI source, speaking anonymously to PTI.
India's upcoming schedule includes 2 Tests against Bangladesh, followed by three against New Zealand, leading up to the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia Down Under.
Selectors and senior players are keen on managing their workload carefully. "The Champions Trophy will happen in mid February and they don't need to go for a week-long 3 match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome but I guess they would want rest," the source added.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya appears to be the frontrunner for captaincy, though KL Rahul, who led the ODI squad in South Africa previously, remains a viable option as well.
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