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Jay Shah (Source: Twitter)
Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah refrained from commenting on the potential return of Rohit Sharma as the T20 captain ahead of the T20 World Cup in June-July in the Americas. While Hardik Pandya has been leading the T20 side, speculation surrounds Rohit Sharma's leadership role.
Shah emphasised that there's ample time to decide, considering the upcoming IPL and series against Afghanistan. "Why have clarity right now? The T20 World Cup starts in June. We had the IPL before that and also the series against Afghanistan," said Jay Shah on Saturday.
Earlier, reports suggested Rohit Sharma might lead the Indian team in the T20 World Cup, but Shah indicated that a decision is not imminent. However, he, along with star batter Virat Kohli, opted out of the upcoming White Ball series against South Africa.
'New NCA set to be functional from mid-2024', says Jay Shah
Jay Shah also provided an update on the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, situated on the board's property at Chinnaswamy Stadium. He mentioned that the NCA, along with new academies in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, will be functional by mid-August 2024. The development work on the Jammu and Kashmir Academy has already commenced.
Regarding 'Pink Ball' Tests, Shah acknowledged the need to generate more public interest, emphasizing that Test matches lasting four to five days are preferred by spectators. India has played two 'Pink Ball' Tests so far, one against Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2019 and another against England in Ahmedabad in 2021. Both matches ended in less than three days.
"We will have to increase the amount of interest in the public for the pink-ball test. If you recall, the test ended in 2–3 days. Everyone wants to watch a test match lasting 4-5 days. Once they get more used to it, we will do more pink-ball tests," said Shah. He mentioned ongoing discussions with England for future 'Pink Ball' tests and expressed the intention to introduce them gradually, following the example set by Australia.
Here is how fans react to Jay Shah's comments:
Series against AFG!!! I mean seriously l!!! Is this our WT20 prep??
— See the Good Shri (@shrispy24) December 10, 2023
Only 7 month left in T20 world cup and we even not know that who is going to be captain in T20 world cup 2024
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) December 10, 2023
Wow great news . Rohit sharma needs one more chance.😊
— Harvinder Chauhan (Harry) (@HarvinderChau20) December 10, 2023
Jay Shah supremacy hope script in T20 world cup work well for India
— Indian sport action (@sportszone_17) December 10, 2023
He is absolutely spot on. You need 4-5 hitters and atleast experienced one standing batsman for T20 WC. SA series, Afg series and IPL will reveal so many things. Just we have to keep in mind that, Pitches in WI and America are on the slower side.
— @vipin mishra 🇮🇳 (@viplnt) December 10, 2023
The RSA tour & the AFG series will more or less will give the blueprint of the WT20 Squad. The only slots left will be of whether seniors like Rohit & Virat will be going or not? Hardik's fitness, Shami's injury that will get a clear picture during IPL.
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) December 10, 2023
He is absolutely spot on. You need 4-5 hitters and atleast experienced one standing batsman for T20 WC. SA series, Afg series and IPL will reveal so many things. Just we have to keep in mind that, Pitches in WI and America are on the slower side.
— Rathin Dutta 𝕏 (@IamRathinDutta) December 10, 2023
No clarity no preparation so no ICC cup … this is simple as it can be
— dD@$h (@dashman207) December 10, 2023
Jay Shah needs time for a better script but he may change the cast and lead roles too 😃
— Being Indian 🇮🇳 (@SunilSa02606284) December 10, 2023
Sahi hai ..there is no clarity whatsoever in his statement too
— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) December 10, 2023
As if there are 10 series ahead of world cup.
— Manikanda prasath (@atmanmpkr) December 10, 2023
If team will be based on IPL performance, India should have altogether different 11
I think they are waiting to see the results of India's next two series against South Africa and Afghanistan.
— Tanveer Hassan (@tanveercric56_) December 10, 2023