KL Rahul in line for captaincy as Asian Games complicate India’s ODI plans
Seasoned KL Rahul could be named India’s vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies from September 27.
Led by Shubman Gill, India will open their ODI campaign against the Caribbean from Thiruvananthapuram, while the remaining two matches will be held in Guwahati (September 30) and Mullanpur (October 3).
The squad for the West Indies series along with the Irani Cup will be picked here on September 16, a day after the second T20I against Afghanistan. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar will attend the match.
Interestingly, this selection meeting will be Agarkar’s last assignment in his agreed contract period, which ends on October 4.
He is eligible for an extension for another year, but now The BCCI has remained silent on Agarkar’s future.
It is understood that with the Asian Games overlapping with the ODI against the West Indies, regular vice-captain Shreyas Iyer will not be available as he will be in Japan to lead the T20 team.
Also with Ishan Kishan asian games duty, there will be a debate about the number two wicketkeeper slot behind Rahul.
The choice is between Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel.
“It is a choice between Pant and Jurel. Obviously the head coach and captain’s view would be important,” a BCCI source privy to the selection matters told PTI.
It is understood that if Pant is not selected as the second wicket-keeper, then he would lead the Rest of India side in the Irani Cup against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar.
In case Pant is selected for India, then Jurel can lead the rest of India. He recently led India A in Sri Lanka.
SEAMLESS BOWLING AROUND THE HORIZON
The national selectors may have a tough time picking an all-rounder for the ODIs if Hardik Pandya is not declared fit.
Hardik, who was selected for India Ais expected to be able to play competitive white-ball cricket from September 20, according to PTI sources at the BCCI Center of Excellence.
“The selectors have picked Hardik for the India A one dayers scheduled from October 6 in Puducherry. However, the West Indies ODI will end on October 3. It will be interesting if Hardik is picked for the West Indies ODI,” said the source.
However, the pace attack features a stacked combination with Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav all fit and available.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to be picked in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
A LOT OF INJURED BORDER PLAYERS
Injuries to many fringe players also complicate the process for the selection committee, which is struggling with a lack of versatile options.
Right now, the injured players are Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Mohsin Khan, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana and Shahbaz Ahmed who are not available for selection either for the seniors, A team or Irani Cup.
All these players will undergo rehabilitation at the CoE in Bengaluru.
SARFARAZ, DOSEJA, SANGWAN FOR IRAN CUP
Mumbai home stalwart Sarfaraz Khan, who was not picked for the India A tests against Australia A, is likely to be picked for the rest of India.
Along with Ravichandran Smaran, Delhi youngsters Sanat Sangwan and Ayush Doseja, who were among the top three finishers in the Ranji Trophy, are expected to be part of the RoI.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
13 Sep 2026 18:14 IST