As Test cricket takes a break till September, when Bangladesh tour India for a two-match series followed by New Zealand, the buzz will be around the IPL and India’s team composition for the T20 World Cup.

While the powers-that-be in Indian cricket are tight-lipped, it is understood
that Virat Kohli is not a certainty for the showpiece event in the US and the West Indies in June.

Sources told The Telegraph that the national selectors and the team management are ready to take some harsh decisions ahead of the tournament.

India have not won an ICC trophy since 2013 and Rohit Sharma’s men lost in the finals of the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup last year.

Only a superlative effort from Kohli in the IPL could force a change in plans since the national selectors believe he hasn’t been able to cope with the team’s needs in the shortest format.

Board secretary Jay Shah had confirmed Rohit as captain for the World Cup during the Rajkot Test but remained silent on Kohli. “We will discuss Virat’s role in due course,” Shah said.

The BCCI doesn’t want to get involved in this and has left it to the selection committee and the team management to take a call. In effect, it will be Agarkar’s call since as a source said, it “remains a very delicate matter and not many are willing to get involved.”

Youngsters like Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube are thought to be more suited to take the team forward. Hardik Pandya, who has been injured since midway through the ODI World Cup in October, is also expected to be back in the scheme of things.

Rinku’s performance in the 15 T20Is has been phenomenal — a strike-rate of 176.23 — and had joined Team India players during a photo-shoot for the T20 World Cup a few days ahead of the final Test in Dharamsala.

India had performed admirably under Surya’s captaincy in the T20I series against Australia at home in November, winning 4-1. In South Africa, the three-match series was tied 1-1 after the opener was washed out.

Rohit was back in charge for the home series against Afghanistan in January which the hosts won 3-0.

The selectors are also toying with the idea of having specialists and everyone will not be forced to participate in every format. The cricketers’ workload can also be managed better in such a way.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar is learnt to have spoken to Kohli about a much-needed change in his approach to cater to the demands of the T20 format. Kohli likewise displayed an aggressive style during the T20Is against Afghanistan though it didn’t work to perfection. He contributed only 29 and 0 in the two matches he played.

It is also believed that the slow wickets in the West Indies wouldn’t suit him. The selectors have been toying with the idea for some time now and there has been nothing to suggest about a change in plans.

Agarkar will again have to take up the cudgels and convince Kohli that he has to make way for the younger generation.

The selectors are learnt to have shortlisted the players though there remains some ambiguity over the wicketkeeper’s slot. KL Rahul seems to be the preferred choice though his fitness remains a concern.

Dhruv Jurel’s encouraging debut in the Test series against England has also brought him into the picture and he will be closely watched during the IPL. Jitesh Sharma too is in the fray.

The world’s most popular franchise league will form
the basis of selection for not just India but some other teams too.

There is no doubt that the uncertainty over Kohli’s inclusion will continue till the last moment. The provisional squad has to be sent to the ICC in the first week of May.