India's T20 World Cup 2024 winning captain Rohit Sharma is likely to be rested for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. His return back to international cricket is therefore, expected to be delayed.

The tour of Sri Lanka starting July 27 and ending on August 7, will consist of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Rohit had announced his retirement from T20 internationals after the recent World Cup Final in Barbados.

According to PTI reports, Rohit who has taken part in every international series for India non-stop since the South Africa tour, in December, last year, will opt for rest. In addition to his India commitments, he also took part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, ahead of the World Cup.

When will Rohit Sharma return to play for India?

Rohit Sharma, who led Team India to a T20 World Cup win after 17 long years and under whose captaincy, the Indian team ended a decade-long drought of ICC trophies, was offered rest post the success in the world tournament. He is not expected to return until the start of the next Test series.

According to Indian Express, a BCCI source said: "Senior players can take some rest and get ready for the full cricket season ahead. Rohit, Virat and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September." 

Earlier BCCI secretary Jay Shah had confirmed that Rohit will continue to lead Team India during the ongoing edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Further, the management wanted both players to prioritize playing the Test format this year.

"Both [Rohit and Kohli] are automatic choices in ODI set up and the three 50-over games against England before the Champions Trophy is good enough practice for them. For next few months, they both will prioritize Tests and India will play 10 of them between September to January," a BCCI source told PTI.

Which is India's next Test series?

Team India will meet Bangladesh for a two-Test series in the WTC, starting September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This will be followed by another three-match home series against New Zealand, in October. After the home Test series, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series in the much-awaited Border Gavaskar Trophy, in November.

Despite BCCI keeping things open for them to play, it is understood that both the selectors and Rohit feel it is the right decision to rest and manage their workload, as a player in his late 30s.

"The Champions Trophy will happen in mid-February, and they don’t need to go for a week-long 3-match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome, but I guess they would want rest," the source told PTI

In the absence of current captain Rohit Sharma, it is expected that either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul will be chosen to lead the Indian team for the Sri Lankan series.