Following India's recent 3-0 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering big action against senior players.
Senior players to bear BCCI's brunt after India's series sweep against New Zealand
As per a PTI report, BCCI has issued an ultimatum to these players regarding their future in Test cricket. If India fails to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final, senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja may face the axe. These reports indicate that these players may have already played their final home Test matches.
According to reports, if India fails to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final, the senior players may not be included in the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
“But if India doesn’t qualify for the WTC final in England, one can rest assured that all four super seniors won’t be on that flight to the UK for the ensuing five-Test series. In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together," a source close to the development told PTI.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja to be dropped?
Moreover, reports suggest that top BCCI officials will hold discussions with Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma to discuss the future direction of the team, particularly concerning the senior players.
This development puts pressure on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja to perform strongly in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. All four players have been included in the squad for this crucial series.
What India need to do to qualify for the WTC 2023-2025 final?
India's qualification for the ICC World Test Championship final hinges on winning four matches and drawing one in their upcoming series against Australia. This daunting task will require an extraordinary effort from the Indian team. The 0-3 series whitewash against New Zealand came as a huge setback for India. This humiliating defeat has jeopardized their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, which they were previously considered strong contenders for.
Senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled with the bat, while Ravichandran Ashwin also had a below-par performance. Ravindra Jadeja, who had a slow start, found his form in the final Test, claiming 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium. India's recent performance has been disappointing, but given their past achievements, they cannot be entirely ruled out from making a strong comeback in the upcoming series and qualifying for the WTC 2023-2025 final.
