Rohit Sharma is all set to play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka and will also lead the team, according to a report from Hindustan Times. Earlier, there were speculations that the trio of Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah would miss the entire tour of Sri Lanka, with KL Rahul possibly becoming the ODI captain for the upcoming series. However, the report states that Rohit will be back in action while Virat and Bumrah will enjoy an extended leave after playing non-stop cricket. India will play just six ODIs before the 2025 Champions Trophy and the report said that was a big reason for Rohit’s involvement. The series will also be Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as coach of Team India.
Meanwhile, T20I captaincy continues to be a topic of discussion as Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as strong contenders. However, the media believes that SKY has an advantage in the race as the team management is concerned about Hardik’s physical difficulties.
Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as the dark horse to become India’s T20 captain until the 2026 World Cup and could surpass leading candidate Hardik Pandya, whose elevation from the vice-captain position was being seen as a natural progression until now.
Pandya made himself available for the shorter format games against Sri Lanka this month but it turns out that Suryakumar, who captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year, is new coach Gautam’s preferred choice Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.
It is learned that Gambhir and Agarkar spoke to Pandya about this change of plan earlier this evening and explained to him that a long-term option was being finalized to ensure stability.
The T20 leadership role fell vacant after Rohit Sharma bid adieu to his international career in the shortest format following India’s World Cup triumph last month in the West Indies.
Pandya, one of the heroes of that victory, will take a break during the three-match ODI series against the island nation for “personal reasons”. The T20Is against Sri Lanka will take place from July 27-30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2-7 in Colombo.
The lineup for the series is expected to be announced in the coming days.
“Hardik Pandya was India’s T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is fully fit and available for the three-match T20I series and should lead the team, but there is a very strong feeling that SKY would be the leader potentially not just for Sri Lanka series but even the 2026 World Cup,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
“Hardik’s break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. He does not have any fitness issues as is being suggested in the media,” the official said.
(With PTI inputs)
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