India's superstar batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are reportedly set to skip the three-match white-ball series against the visiting South Africa A side. The series is slated to get underway from November 13, 16, and 19. Although both players currently feature only in the ODI format for India's main squad, they are not expected to be considered for this particular India A assignment. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to name the India A squad shortly, and a report from Cricbuzz indicates that the selectors have a specific plan for the series that intentionally excludes the two modern greats.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to miss South Africa A series
The decision to rest the players is being viewed in the context of player management rather than as a cause for concern. Both Rohit and Kohli recently returned to action in Australia after a break and immediately showed reassuring signs of form during the three-match ODI series. Rohit, in particular, delivered a commanding comeback after a slow start, hitting knocks of 73 and an unbeaten 121 to ultimately clinch the Player of the Series award. Kohli also found his fluency in the final match with an unbeaten 74, bouncing back strongly after two rare ducks in the opening games.
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Management prioritises rest before main series
Their strong performances have given selectors the confidence not to push them into additional white-ball games ahead of India’s full-strength commitments. The selectors appear focused on managing the workload of the senior players, ensuring they are rested and fresh for more significant assignments. The India A series is thus expected to be used as an opportunity to test and develop other players in the squad's pipeline.
The India A unit is currently in Bengaluru competing in a two-match unofficial Test series against South Africa A, led by Rishabh Pant. The hosts have already secured a victory in the opening four-day game, which concluded on November 2 at the National Cricket Academy. The second match is scheduled to begin shortly on November 6. The selection committee is reportedly planning to finalize the squads for both the continuation of the India A series and the senior men’s Test side in a single meeting in the coming days, aiming for a streamlined selection process.
Few changes are expected for the senior Test squad that recently played in the West Indies, with the primary inclusion being the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is set to replace N Jagadeesan. This squad will face Temba Bavuma’s South Africa in a two-match series, with the Tests scheduled for Kolkata (November 14-18) and Guwahati (November 22-26). Following the red-ball segment, the teams will switch focus to an eight-match white-ball leg, including three ODIs, where both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are naturally expected to reclaim their top-order positions.