Three tough calls which Indian cricket team selectors will have to make ahead of World Cup 2023

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India's 209-run defeat against Australia in the World Test Championship final (WTC final) already kicked off the transition period for the team. The board, selectors and even the players are very well aware of it.

A knee-jerk reaction and a sudden series most probably would be held until the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 gets done and dusted. The peace in the board and the team is of utmost importance at the moment when white-ball cricket is set to take control.

The BCCI has gone the MS Dhoni way. Just like the CSK captain said "why take the headache now" when asked about his IPL retirement, the BCCI selectors are taking the benefit of a 5-month period. India play two Tests against West Indies starting July 12 and not many changes are expected.

The real transition will kick off when India travel to South Africa at the end of this year. It is then when the Indian cricket team selectors will be put to it. Not just Test cricket, there will be a few calls to be made regarding the white-ball squads as well. Here are the three tough decisions which Team India selectors will have to work on before the World Cup 2023.

Rohit Sharma's successor in Test and ODI cricket

The current Indian team captain is 36-year-old and ideally the WTC final against Australia should have been his last Test match. However, as mentioned earlier the management have to maintain their calm keeping in view the upcoming big events including a World Cup. Discord and panic is the last thing the BCCI wants at the moment.

However, mulling over Rohit's successor in Test cricket is a must. His heir in the ODI format should also be kept ready. In case India have a challenging World Cup 2023 campaign, Rohit's place will be in danger as India have already lost a T20 World Cup, Asia Cup and WTC final under his captaincy.

The age factor will also have a huge role to play. Only a successful India campaign can guarantee Rohit Sharma an extended run as the captain of India ODI team.

The future of seniors in Test cricket and their replacements

Virat Kohli's position in the Indian Test team is indispensable in the WTC 2023-25 cycle which will start with the West Indies Test. A senior to guide the youngsters will be needed and there is no better person than Kohli for the role. By the look of Ajinkya Rahane's form, the former vice-captain also looks set to prolong his Test career.

However, the axe might fall on Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara. In case they end up hitting a ton in the West Indies, the selectors will have come further under pressure but it's then when they will have to show their nerves inside the meeting room.

Having four players over the age of 35 (Kohli will also turn 35 this October) is a no deal or a risky deal. The WTC final will be held in 2025. To keep the future of the Indian Test team, the selectors will have to very tactfully bid respectful goodbyes to a few senior players.

BCCI selectors will then also have the task of infusing reliable young bloods who can help them in successfully transitioning Team Indian into the next phase.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20Is?

Seniors players of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's are always ambitious and it would not be a surprise if at least the former is breeding thoughts of playing in the T20I World Cup in the West Indies and USA in 2024.

Rohit hasn't got a performance to back him, however, Kohli was in sublime form in IPL 2023. He announced officially to the world that he was playing his best T20 cricket.

"A lot of people feel my T20 cricket is declining, but I don't feel like that at all. I feel I am playing my best T20 cricket again," Kohli had said after his second consecutive hundred in the IPL 2023.

Hardik Pandya is already the unofficial captain of the T20I team after India's exit from the T20 World Cup 2023. Is there a place for Virat Kohli as an opener or number three? Should there be the experience of Kohli in the T20I squad? Will the selectors show courage and strictly go with a young team in the T20Is regardless of the form of seniors?