Ahead of the BCCI Selection Committee meeting to pick India squad for the South Africa series, talks are growing that limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni might make way for Test captain Virat Kohli in ODIs as well.
The selectors are expected to meet somewhere around September 15 to pick the squad for the series that involves three T20 internationals, five ODIs and four Tests. The energy-sapping 72-day tour will begin with the limited-overs leg from October 2.
Selectors think that different personalities and difference in captaincy styles between Kohli and Dhoni might affect the team in the long run and thus want Kohli to lead the in 50-overs format as well.
However, Dhoni might continue to lead India in T20s since India will be hosting the T20 World Cup next year and selectors think Dhoni is the right man in the shortest format of the game, especially so close to the pinnacle T20 tournament.
“Even in the previous selection meeting there were talks about Kohli being named captain for all formats. But it is also worth keeping in mind that Dhoni is the most successful India captain ever and Kohli is just finding his feet as far as captaincy goes. With India set to play mainly at home next year, it will only be an advantage for Kohli to take over the reins now rather than in an away series,” a source said. “Dhoni might continue to lead in T20s though.”
Dhoni has not played any match since the three ODIs in Dhaka in June and it is unclear whether the selectors have shared their captaincy plans with Dhoni or not.
It’s unknown if the selectors will announce all three squads together or wait for the T20s and ODIs to finish before announcing the Test squad.
