Indian cricket is all set to prepare for the new dawn with the imminent tour of Sri Lanka and all set to steer a new foreign venture as Gautam Gambhir takes up the charge of head coach. As this is a major shift, it is the starting of a new phase that came after Rahul Dravid’s successful stint. The Indian cricket team’s next contender after the T20 World Cup 2024 would take a long time to fill the shoes left behind by the skillful captain, Dravid. Another test for Gambhir would be to decide on the team and the captain for the Sri Lanka series, especially since traveling players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are not expected to be part of the white-ball series.
Changes in Team India Leadership
India is already in a transition phase, especially in the T20I, because it recently bid adieu to its legends, namely Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The BCCI has not officially declared a new captain for the shortest form of cricket either. Originally, there was a cultivation of a front-runner in the form of Hardik Pandya, who earned the position of vice-captain during the T20 World Cup.
But according to recent news, there is a strong possibility that he will be replaced by his team-mate in MI, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY). Gambhir, who has a good bond with SKY from their days at KKR, will surely help exploit his potential and could be a factor behind his inclusion in the captaincy team.
KL Rahul Expected to Return as a Captain
It is crucial to note that there are expectations of KL Rahul coming back into the Indian side in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and he can be in the fray for the captaincy role as well in the absence of Rohit. Pandya, one of the most vital players in the India T20 World Cup, will miss three match ODI series due to personal issues. This creates a leadership power that is vacant and which Rahul has exposed himself to occupy since he has been associated with captaincy at some point in his career.
Series Schedule
The India tour of Sri Lanka will start with the three-match T20I series, starting on 27 July, followed by the remaining two games on 28 July and 30 July. After that, the ODI series will start on 2 August, with the remaining two games being played on 4 August and 7 August, respectively, at the iconic R Premadasa Stadium.
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