Xtra Time Web Desk: The upcoming tour to South Africa by the Indian cricket team is very likely to go ahead as schedule despite the emergence of new COVID variant Omicron.There are talks between two boards to curtail the matches in the series. India is scheduled to play three tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) are in talks to reduce the test matches to two keeping in mind the players mental fatigue due to the strict bio bubble. In that case the tour can be postponed by a few days.
Meanwhile the selectors will be picking a jumbo squad for the tour this week. Virat Kohli’s future as India ODI captain will also be decided in the selection meeting headed by Chetan Sharma. The squad strength could be anything between 20 to 23, taking all formats into account.
There are currently two schools of thought in the BCCI. One that believes that Kohli could be allowed to continue as there are only a few ODIs left. The other thought process is about not having two white ball skippers and giving Rohit enough time to prepare a potent team that could be serious title contenders for 2023 ODI World Cup scheduled to be held in India.
It is understood that there are strong arguments for both theories but the final call on Kohli’s fate as ODI skipper will be taken by president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.