Rohit, Virat, Bumrah set to miss upcoming Sri Lanka tour

In a major development for Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah are all set to miss India’s upcoming tour to Sri Lanka. According to a report, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) wants the Indian skipper, alongside Kohli and Bumrah, to take some rest before they make a return for a full season in September against Bangladesh, when the side will travel to India for two Tests, and three T20Is from September 19.

It is worth noting that India’s tour to Sri Lanka contains three ODIs and as many T20Is, from July 27 to August 7. Rohit and Kohli retired from T20I cricket after their triumph in the T20 World Cup, and it has been stated that the selection committee will meet soon to finalize the squad for the tour.

“Senior players can take some rest and get ready for the full cricket season ahead. Rohit, Virat and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September,” a source in the know was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

Furthermore, after the Bangladesh series in September, India will host New Zealand at home from October 16-November 5 for three Tests. After that, they will tour South Africa to play four T20Is between November 8 and 15 before a five-match Test series in Australia starting on November 22.

BCCI calls for support staff applications

The BCCI recently called for applications for the team’s support staff, as the tenures of batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip ended after the T20 World Cup.

The board has already interviewed two candidates—Gautam Gambir and WV Raman—for the post of head coach, and only an official announcement is awaited. Notably, Jay Shah recently stated that the new India head coach will be joining the side on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.