New Delhi, Nov 23 (NationPress) The senior men’s selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, will gather in Mumbai this Sunday to determine India’s squads for the forthcoming white-ball series against South Africa, as reported by sources to IANS.

Agarkar, along with RP Singh and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, were in Guwahati on Saturday to witness the first day of the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. However, IANS has learned that the trio departed for Mumbai from Guwahati on Sunday for the selection meeting at the BCCI headquarters.

“Indeed, the selection meeting is today in Mumbai, after it was initially thought to take place in Guwahati. Other committee members are also en route to Mumbai,” the sources added.

After the conclusion of the two-match Test series, India will face South Africa in three ODIs, which will occur in Ranchi, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam, alongside five T20Is set to unfold in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad. The Agarkar-led panel is expected to focus significantly on potential leadership for the ODI series against the Proteas.

A leadership gap exists in the 50-over format as captain Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are sidelined due to neck and spleen injuries. With Gill consulting Mumbai-based spinal surgeon Dr Abhay Nene for recovery, his participation in the T20Is starting December 9 remains uncertain.

IANS reports that a leadership battle is underway between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, with further discussions anticipated during the selection committee meeting. Rahul has previously captained India in ODIs, leading the team to victory against South Africa in the 2023 series.

Pant is currently leading India in the ongoing second Test in Guwahati, but has not been a regular starter in the 50-over format due to Rahul's role. In Gill's absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal may partner with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.

As Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested to manage his workload and Kuldeep Yadav likely on leave for his wedding, the bowling attack will include Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, and Washington Sundar.

For the T20I series against the Proteas, with the exception of Gill, most of the squad is anticipated to remain unchanged. It will be intriguing to see if Hardik Pandya is included, as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a quad injury at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.