Gautam Gambhir has recently taken over as the head coach of the Indian senior men’s cricket team, appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His appointment has stirred considerable media speculation, and a recent report has added to the buzz. It suggests that Gambhir has requested star batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, to participate in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka.
India is set to face Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting on August 2. The remaining matches are scheduled for August 4 and 7, with all fixtures to be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. According to News18 CricketNext, Gambhir’s request stems from the team’s extended break after the Sri Lanka tour, as they prepare for the home series against Bangladesh in September.
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The squad for the Sri Lanka tour is expected to be announced soon. If reports are accurate, Rohit Sharma may lead the Men in Blue for the first time since their triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, dispelling earlier rumours that KL Rahul would be the captain.
India vs Sri Lanka Squad Updates
-New head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen on having all the senior players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah be available for the ODIs.
– BCCI wants seniors to be rested and keep them fresh for test series
– The 3 T20i will be…
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17) July 16, 2024
Regarding the T20I leg of the tour, Hardik Pandya is set to captain the side, with Suryakumar Yadav likely to serve as his deputy. Reports also indicate that Pandya has informed the BCCI of his unavailability for the ODI series due to personal reasons, although he will be participating in the T20I matches.
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Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is expected to be named as the primary stumper for the tour. The selectors are reportedly keen to rest Rishabh Pant to prepare him for the Bangladesh series and the upcoming hectic schedule. The official squad announcement is anticipated shortly, putting an end to the speculations and confirming the lineup for the Sri Lankan tour.
With Gambhir at the helm, the upcoming tour will be closely watched to see how his leadership influences the team’s performance and dynamics. The anticipation surrounding the squad selection and captaincy decisions adds an extra layer of excitement for fans and analysts alike.
