(Image source from: x.com/hardikpandya7)
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead India in the three-match series against Sri Lanka in the T20 International series starting July 27. However, one of last month's T20 World Cup champions will be rested for the third time in a row. The ODI series has been postponed to August due to “personal circumstances”. “Hardik Pandya was India’s T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is fully fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the team,” a senior official told PTI on condition of anonymity. Rohit withdrew from the T20 Internationals after the World Cup. The T20I against Sri Lanka will be played in Palakle from July 27 to 30 and the ODI in Colombo from August 2 to 7. The members of this series will be introduced in the coming days. It is not yet clear who will replace Pandya as coach, but Shubman Gill, who recently led India to a 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe and South Africa in T20Is, will take the reins between Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team in the T20Is take over the time of the game against the team in which you are participating. last year.
As for the ODIs, sources confirmed that Pandya has requested leave and has already informed regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is also taking time off from the series. A source said: “His ODI withdrawal is for very personal reasons. Hardik has no fitness issues as reported in the media." In the ODIs, KL Rahul, who was the topper in the last ODI series in South Africa, and Gill are vying for the leadership position. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has clarified that even star cricketers should be allowed to take part in domestic activities if they are exempt from national duties. However, exceptions will be made for players like Rohit, Virat Kohli and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. However, the BCCI wants other Test professionals to organize at least one, if not two, Duleep Trophy matches in August ahead of the Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand. “There will be no regional selection committee for the Duleep Trophy this time. Only the national selection committee will select the Duleep team”.
