Hardik Pandya Likely to Lead India in T20s Against Sri Lanka, Arshdeep Expected to Return
The Indian cricket team will be touring Sri Lanka for a white-ball series consisting of three T20 Internationals and three ODIs. This tour holds significance for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket with Gautam Gambhir taking charge as the head coach. Secondly, senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have announced their retirement from T20 cricket, paving the way for a new-look squad.
India’s Probable Squad and Captaincy
- Captain: Hardik Pandya is all set to lead the T20I team after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. His all-round performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 makes him a strong contender for the captaincy role.
- Playing XI: The T20I squad is likely to see the return of World Cup winners like Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh (or Arsheep as you mentioned), Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
- Fresh Faces: Players who impressed in recent domestic tournaments like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan, and Mukesh Kumar might also find a place in the squad.
Official Schedule
The BCCI is yet to announce the official squad, but reports suggest the selection will happen soon. Here’s the revised tour schedule:
- T20I Series:
- 1st T20I – July 27th, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
- 2nd T20I – July 28th, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
- 3rd T20I – July 30th, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (all matches start at 7:00 PM IST)
- ODI Series:
- 1st ODI – August 2nd, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- 2nd ODI – August 4th, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
- 3rd ODI – August 7th, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (all matches start at 2:30 PM IST)
ODI Captaincy
KL Rahul is expected to lead the ODI team in Rohit Sharma’s absence. The selectors might also consider resting some senior players for workload management purposes.
A New Chapter for Indian Cricket
This Sri Lanka series will be a crucial stepping stone for Indian cricket as they begin a new chapter. With fresh leadership and a mix of experienced and young players, the series will be an exciting watch for fans to see how the team shapes up for the future.
DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.
