Will Kohli skip Sri Lanka tri-series?

Indian selectors might offer their captain Virat Kohli break from the Sri Lanka tri-nation T20I series next month.

The Nidhas Trophy, which will involve India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, will be organised to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence. India, if they make the final, will play five T20 matches.

"Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah could be rested for the tri-series and young pacers like Mohammed Siraj, Basil Thampi, Jaydev Unadkat or Shardul Thakur could get a look in. Skipper Virat Kohli could also be offered a break from the rigours of T20I cricket if he himself wants a rest and either Rohit Sharma or Ajinkya Rahane could be named stand-in captain. The name of Axar Patel is doing the rounds for the role of a specialist spinner," the Times of India reported.

India are currently in South Africa. They have tough away tours to England, Australia and New Zealand. They will play in the 50-overs World Cup in England next year. So, having a bunch of injury-free players for these tours will be the main priority of the national selectors.

Sensing the urgency to address the fatigue factor and manage the heavy workload of senior cricketers, the three-member national selection committee - led by MSK Prasad - is looking to give rest to some members of the team touring South Africa during the forthcoming tire-series, stating from March 6.