India Star Overlooked for T20 World Cup, Top Contender for ODI Captaincy vs Sri Lanka: Report

Post by : Elena Malik

Photo : BCCI

India to Face Sri Lanka in Three T20Is and Three ODIs Under New Era

India is gearing up for a series against Sri Lanka starting in late July, signaling a new era under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir. The team dynamics have shifted significantly with the retirements of T20 stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, giving rise to a fresh look in the squad.

The series comprises three T20Is and three ODIs, with particular focus on the ODI matches as India begins preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy and eyes the 2027 ODI World Cup.

According to reports from PTI, Hardik Pandya, a key player in India's recent T20 World Cup victory, will miss the three-match ODI series scheduled for August due to personal reasons. This decision has been communicated to regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is also opting out of the series.

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"There are personal reasons behind Hardik's ODI break, and it's not related to fitness concerns as speculated," an official clarified.

In Pandya's absence, KL Rahul, who led in India's previous ODI series in South Africa, and Shubman Gill are contenders for the captaincy role.

Meanwhile, PTI reports indicate that Suryakumar Yadav is emerging as a surprise candidate for India's T20 captaincy until the 2026 World Cup, potentially overshadowing Hardik Pandya, who was previously seen as the natural successor from vice-captaincy.

Suryakumar, who captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year, is reportedly favored by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Discussions with Pandya have already taken place to explain the shift towards a long-term leadership strategy.

The vacancy in T20 leadership arose after Rohit Sharma retired from international T20s following India's World Cup triumph in the West Indies last month.

The upcoming series against Sri Lanka is poised to be a crucial testing ground for India's evolving squad dynamics and leadership strategies, setting the stage for future international campaigns.

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