Mumbai/New Delhi: The future of Rohit Sharma and the shape of India’s ODI team for the next World Cup cycle are set to dominate discussions when the BCCI’s top brass meets in Mumbai on Thursday for a wide-ranging performance review.While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be assessed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit’s future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener’s stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit’s role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.“It’s very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn’t been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts,” a BCCI source said.The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India’s three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.The fast-bowling allrounder’s role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish Kumar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.“Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn’t have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible,” the source said.The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka assignment. It will now cover India’s performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.India’s 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team’s poorest performances in recent years. Gill’s ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than assigning blame, with particular emphasis on recurring issues in preparation, selection and execution.Fitness management is expected to be another major talking point. Jasprit Bumrah missed the Sri Lanka tour after aggravating a knee problem, while Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana remain in line for fitness assessments at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sept 9.With a two-Test tour of New Zealand scheduled for Nov and a packed calendar ahead, the board wants tighter coordination between the medical staff, strength-and-conditioning team and national selectors to ensure greater player availability.
New role for Laxman
The meeting could also have significant administrative consequences. Laxman is being considered for an expanded role, with discussions continuing over a possible Director of Cricket position overseeing coaching, selection and player-development pathways. Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector, which ends later this month, will also come under review, with a one-year extension among the options being discussed.
Board President’s XI fixture vs visiting teams may be back
Meanwhile, BCCI is also examining the possibility of reviving the traditional Board President’s XI match before home series, following a recommendation from Manhas. The fixture, which historically featured leading domestic performers and Test hopefuls against visiting teams, has often served as a stepping stone for future India players while providing valuable match preparation to touring sides.
