Virat Kohli, most other seniors ready for full Windies tour

MUMBAI: Contrary to media reports, most of Team India's senior players have indicated their availability for the full tour of the West Indies, which will begin early next month.

The exceptions are Mahendra Singh Dhoni^[1], who is learnt to be headed to his army unit for the next two months, allrounder Hardik Pandya^[2], who has been enduring back trouble and pacer Jasprit Bumrah^[3], who has been advised a bit of rest. The others, including captain Virat Kohli^[4] and white-ball vice captain Rohit Sharma^[5], are ready and willing to play the three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests.

There has been talk that most of Team India's regulars, especially the ones who play all three formats, would not play the T20s and ODIs and only be picked for the Tests. In fact, some reports had speculated that Kohli and Bumrah would be rested even for the Tests. However, this is unlikely to be the case when the national selectors meet on Friday.

Bumrah, who participated in Mumbai Indians’ victorious IPL campaign and bowled in all 10 matches India played at the World Cup, may want to rest for the white ball series in the Caribbean but has “no intention” of missing the Tests that will follow, according to sources.

Pandya suffered back trouble throughout the Mumbai Indians^[6] campaign. He has been in continuous, nagging pain for some time now and will probably be given a break for the entire series.

All other players who were part of the World Cup squad and are fit are expected to make themselves available for selection.

“There’s no word yet on Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shankar (who had to leave the World Cup midway due to injuries). The chief selector may have an idea because he’s been following this up. Let’s see, we’ll have a better idea tomorrow on how they’re recovering,” sources in the know said.

Dhawan fractured his thumb in the match against Australia while Shankar injured his toe in the nets while facing Bumrah.

Kohli, who got a small break between the IPL and the World Cup because of Royal Challengers Bangalore bowing out early in the tournament, is not inclined to take any more breathers since India hardly have many long, hectic tours like as the ones played in 2018 anytime soon.
Sharma's only break from the game came when he rushed back in the middle of the Australia series to be in Mumbai for the birth of his daughter. The World Cup’s highest scorer, “would have easily been given a break if he wanted” right now, but is keen to continue with his exceptional batting streak.
Sources also said the team management and senior players are “pretty miffed” at rumours that have been floating around of a rift within the squad.
“Absolute nonsense is being pedalled, like 'there’s a rift in the team, there’s trouble brewing', what not. It’s really uncalled for. Which cricketer wishes away another cricketer? Only one who’s never played the game. The World Cup ended and someone wanted a new headline. It’s disappointing how some people twist and turn things to suit their interests,” sources in the know said.

References

1. ^{^} Mahendra Singh Dhoni (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
2. ^{^} Hardik Pandya (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
3. ^{^} Jasprit Bumrah (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
4. ^{^} Virat Kohli (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
5. ^{^} Rohit Sharma (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
6. ^{^} Mumbai Indians (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

from Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Live Match Scores & Sports News Headlines, Results & more https://ift.tt/2xT9Zi2