The future of several senior players in Indian cricket will come under scrutiny following the upcoming tour of Australia, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) assesses the disappointing 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home. With a structured phase-out strategy being considered before the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins, it's highly likely that the five-match Test series against Australia could mark the end of international careers for at least two of the senior players among Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Rohit, when asked about the long-term prospects of the team, emphasized the importance of focusing on the Australian series. “I don't think we should look too far ahead. The next series against Australia is what we need to concentrate on," he stated, dismissing speculation about the future of the team beyond this series.

There may be informal discussions involving BCCI officials, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Rohit regarding the team's direction, especially given the aging roster. “While this has been a significant setback, and we are preparing for the upcoming series in Australia, the squad has already been finalized, so there won’t be any changes at this stage," a senior BCCI source shared with PTI, speaking on condition of anonymity.

If India fails to qualify for the WTC final in England, it's likely that none of the four senior players will travel for the upcoming five-Test series. The source indicated that the current series against Australia might be the last time all four play together in Test matches at home.

The BCCI is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2011 scenario when an aging team struggled unexpectedly, leading the selectors, particularly Agarkar and Gambhir, to engage in discussions with senior players about future plans.

For India to secure a place in the WTC final, they would need to achieve a 4-0 victory in Australia, which currently seems highly unlikely. However, India could still qualify even if they lose the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, depending on the performances of other teams.

After the series in Australia, if India does not qualify, the new WTC cycle will begin with a five-Test series in England starting June 20 next year in Leeds. This could prompt the selection committee to consider long-term prospects, potentially providing opportunities for players like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, who appear ready for international cricket.

Washington Sundar has emerged as a promising long-term option, which raises questions about Ashwin's future after the Australia series. Jadeja might continue due to his superior fitness and batting capabilities on foreign pitches, although Axar Patel and Manav Suthar are seen as ready replacements for domestic conditions.

In terms of batting performance, Rohit Sharma has accumulated 1,210 runs from 35 innings at home since February 2021, averaging 37.81 with four centuries. However, his recent form has been concerning, with six scores below 10 and only two half-centuries in his last ten innings. Virat Kohli's performance has also dipped, with 742 runs at an average of 30.91 over 25 innings at home, scoring one century on a favorable pitch in Ahmedabad.

Despite the challenges, the pitches in Australia are expected to be more conducive to batting, but overcoming self-doubt after such a humiliating defeat will be challenging, as noted by a former selector. While Kohli’s fitness may allow him to extend his career despite recent struggles, it seems unlikely that Rohit will continue beyond this current World Test Championship cycle.

Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed vice-captain, but due to workload management, he may not be the long-term answer for leadership in Tests. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant appear to be the most suitable candidates for future Test captaincy.