The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which includes three T20Is starting July 27 and three ODIs from August 3 to 7.
This tour marks the beginning of India’s preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy next year and will be Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as the new head coach. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, faces several questions regarding the team selections for both formats.
A key decision for the T20I squad is the captaincy. Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during the T20 World Cup, is a strong candidate to replace Rohit Sharma. However, due to his injury history, the selectors might opt to manage his workload carefully. Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a potential alternative, having previously captained India in T20Is and receiving backing from both Gambhir and Agarkar.
There is uncertainty about the return of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, who have reportedly requested extended breaks following the T20 World Cup and the IPL season. Given their importance for the upcoming Test series and the Champions Trophy, selectors might grant their requests, despite Gambhir’s desire to include them in the ODI squad for experience and leadership.
BCCI to Announce Squad for Sri Lanka Tour as Gambhir Begins Coaching Tenure
With Rohit and Hardik likely absent from the ODI series, a new stand-in captain must be chosen. KL Rahul, who has previously led the team, is a strong contender, especially given his past working relationship with Gambhir. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are other potential candidates, with Gill recently leading India to a series win in Zimbabwe and Pant returning from an injury.
The return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan is another topic of debate. Both players were left out of recent squads due to their non-compliance with BCCI directives on playing domestic cricket. Their inclusion in the Sri Lanka series remains uncertain, depending on the selectors’ stance on their disciplinary issues.
Several players who performed well in the Zimbabwe series might be included in the squads for Sri Lanka. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who impressed in Test cricket and T20Is, could open alongside Shubman Gill in ODIs. Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who showed versatility in batting positions, and Washington Sundar, a standout bowler, are also strong candidates for selection.
The probable squads feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, reflecting the selectors’ strategy for both immediate success and future preparation.
