SA vs IND: BCCI delays ODI squad announcement to get clarity on Rohit Sharma's fitness - Reports

India will be playing a three-match ODI series against South Africa in January. However, the squad for the same is not yet announced. There were reports that the selectors are likely to reveal the ODI squad before the end of the ongoing first Test, but if latest reports are to be believed, the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel has decided to delay the announcement to get a clear picture of the fitness of Rohit Sharma.

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Sharma was ruled of the Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury. His availability for the ODIs is also in doubt. Rohit was recently handed India's ODI captaincy and the South Africa series will be his first assignment as full-time skipper if he recovers completely.

BCCI want to give him every possible chance to make it to the squad thus have decided to delay the announcement of ODI squad.

BCCI has decided to push back the ODI selection for the South Africa tour to get a clear picture of the fitness of Rohit Sharma. (Source - PTI)

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2021

Meanwhile, Ravi Ashwin is also likely to get a call-up for the upcoming ODI series. The off-spinner last played in the 50-overs format in 2017. The seasoned campaigner made a strong case for an ODI return after a decent show in the 20-20 World Cup and the following New Zealand series. His impressive performances earned him praise from Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid.

Apart from Ashwin, all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer and opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad are in the fray to get a slot in the ODI squad. Iyer is being seen as a potential replacement for Hardik Pandya, while Gaikwad is knocking on the doors of the India ODI team for a while. He scored 4 hundreds in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Axar Patel has also recovered from the injury and will be available for selection. Ravindra Jadeja though is expected to miss out due to a forearm injury.