(July 17), India squads for Sri Lanka tour: We examine the likely lineups that the Ajit Agarkar-led committee may choose, given the many unanswered questions surrounding the team selections.
The highly anticipated team for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka is probably going to be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The squad will play three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) beginning on July 27 and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from August 3 to 7.
The ODI series will begin India’s preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy next year, while the T20I series will usher in a new era for the recently crowned T20 World Cup champions. In addition, Gautam Gambhir’s first task as the new head coach of India will be this tour.
We examine the likely lineup the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee might choose for the tour of Sri Lanka, given the abundance of unanswered questions surrounding the team selections for the ODIs and T20Is.
Hardik vs Suryakuma Yadav
The best person to take Rohit Sharma’s place as captain would be Hardik, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup as vice-captain. Given his history of injuries, the selectors might, nevertheless, make a different decision.
To keep him healthy for the Champions Trophy in February of the following year, the board will be forced to control his workload in the white-ball format. Who might be the next choice for India? Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India in eight Twenty20 Internationals against Australia and South Africa last year, has emerged as an unexpected front-runner for the position if reports from the media are to be believed.
Gambhir and Agarkar both spoke with Hardik about the change in strategy, with the management scheduled to select a T20I captain, according to a PTI report on Tuesday.
After the T20 World Cup campaign, the trio reportedly decided to take a longer break. They cited the demanding three months that included the IPL 2024 season. They also remember that this year, India will play ten Test matches.
Will Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah return?
five in Australia and five at home (as part of a series against Bangladesh and New Zealand). Given that India will only play one series in the format prior to the tournament, Gambhir would be eager to have Rohit, Kohli, and Bumrah in the ODI squad in an effort to get his best view for the Champions Trophy the following year. However, selectors have reportedly granted their request for an extended break.
Who will be the stand-in ODI captain?
With Rohit missing out and Hardik reportedly opting out of the ODI series, India will have to name a new stand-in skipper in ODIs. KL Rahul would be one of the contenders, having led India in the last ODI series in South Africa last December.
Not to forget, Gambhir has previously worked with Rahul in a coach-captain combination for the Lucknow Super Giants. Hence, if Rahul does return to the ODI set-up, he could be named the stand-in skipper.
The selectors may also consider Shubman Gill, who most recently helped India win a 4-1 T20I series in Zimbabwe, in addition to Rahul. The other choice is Rishabh Pant, who is scheduled to participate in his first ODI since his injury in December 2022.
