NEW DELHI: The lead-up to Tuesday’s selection meeting was hectic. As the selectors prepared the roadmap for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa, they were in a quandary over Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues. While the duo was eventually picked for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan subject to fitness, TOI has learnt that the BCCI is apprehensive about their ability to play the 50-over format at an optimum level.It is understood that while the selectors, the team management and BCCI are concerned about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs at full tilt, they are more apprehensive about Rohit lasting the distance till the World Cup in Oct-Nov next year. The selectors sought Rohit’s fitness reports as he did not play in the IPL for three weeks due to a hamstring injury. “Rohit didn’t report to the BCCI’s centre of excellence (CoE) for those three weeks. He has become lean but there are concerns about his body being able to take the load of high-performance sport. He has to field for 50 overs. ODI cricket doesn’t have the option of an Impact Player like IPL. Body takes time to heal when you are so close to turning 40,” a BCCI source said.“Hardik was not communicated about fitness concerns till 48 hours before the selection meeting. He hasn’t played for Mumbai Indians since May 2. He complained of back spasms after the game in Chennai but he hasn’t played since. He has been reportedly training at the Reliance’s facility and at Wankhede stadium. While he has rejoined the team, it is not ascertained how he needs to prove his fitness. The selectors are only worried about him not bowling 10 overs,” the source added.The selectors and team management are getting edgy over Rohit’s situation as they need to prepare additional backup openers besides Yashasvi Jaiswal. “There aren’t many ODIs before the World Cup. As it is Jaiswal hasn’t got enough game time. Ishan has been picked so that he can double up as an opener. But if Rohit fails to make it to the World Cup and either Shubman Gill or Jaiswal gets injured, there needs to be another opener ready,” said the source.As for Hardik, in the first week of January he was not cleared to bowl 10 overs by CoE ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand and hence wasn’t picked for the ODIs, since the selectors wanted to preserve him for the T20 World Cup. However, he bowled a 10-over spell for Baroda in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match five days later. The selectors are pinning their hopes on Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana playing the roles of medium-pace bowling allrounders.
Which factor is more critical for team selection ahead of the World Cup?
Time for separate parameters for Rohit, Virat?It is also learnt that the BCCI and team management are trying to move on from the idea that Rohit and Virat Kohli’s ODI prospects need to be clubbed together. “At this moment Kohli’s fitness and form is better than most cricketers in India. But one has to understand that Kohli and Rohit can’t be clubbed together anymore. A firm decision needs to be taken on Rohit after consulting the BCCI medical team,” the source said.It has also been observed that Rohit has not been playing the ultra-aggressive brand of batting since he was relieved of captaincy after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Sources said the team management isn’t exactly convinced of this approach.
