Overview
- The BCCI selection committee will meet on January 3, with the ODI squad to assemble in Vadodara on January 7 for matches on January 11, 14 and 18 in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore.
- Shreyas Iyer’s return is delayed as he continues rehabilitation, leaving India’s No. 4 spot open for in-form contenders Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan.
- Gaikwad is viewed as a leading middle-order option after batting at No. 4 in Iyer’s absence and following up with a Vijay Hazare century, while Padikkal and Sarfaraz strengthened claims with fresh tons.
- Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested as part of workload planning ahead of a busy T20 calendar.
- Selectors are weighing a second wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul, with Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan in the frame, and media predictions of recalls such as Mohammed Shami remain unconfirmed.