The upcoming series between India and Sri Lanka, set to begin in the final week of July, will mark the beginning of a new era with Gautam Gambhir as the coach. Experienced players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have stepped down from T20 Internationals, resulting in the team undergoing a significant transformation. India is scheduled to participate in a series of three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka. The upcoming ODI series is particularly important as it will kick off India’s journey towards the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the 2027 ODI World Cup as the main goal.
A news agency PTI report stated that Hardik Pandya, a key player in India’s T20 World Cup win, will be absent from the upcoming three-match ODI series in August for personal reasons.
The official told PTI that Pandya has requested time off and has already informed regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is also resting during this series.
The hiatus from ODIs is due to very personal motives. The official stated that there are no fitness concerns with Hardik, despite the rumors in the media.
In the ODIs, KL Rahul and Gill are both being considered for the captaincy, with Rahul having led in the last ODI series in South Africa.
In the meantime, a different report within the PTI has put forth a major assertion. According to the report, Suryakumar Yadav is a surprise candidate to potentially be chosen as India’s T20 captain until the 2026 World Cup, possibly surpassing the current frontrunner Hardik Pandya, who was expected to step up from the vice-captain role.
Even though Pandya offered to play in the upcoming T20 matches against Sri Lanka, it has been revealed that Suryakumar, who led India in eight T20 matches against Australia and South Africa, is the favored pick of the new head coach Gambhir and chairman of selectors Agarkar.
PTI reported that both Gambhir and Agarkar had a conversation with Pandya tonight, informing him that a long-term solution was in the works to guarantee stability.
The position of T20 leader became available when Rohit Sharma said goodbye to his international T20 career after India’s World Cup victory in the West Indies last month.
