The Indian cricket team embarked on a fresh chapter with the appointment of head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The squad was out in Kandy, Sri Lanka, for its first training session ahead of their series against Charith Asalanka’s Sri Lankan team. The Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka on July 22 and had already started preparing for their first T20I on July 27, with very little time for a break.
The T20I squad, to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, arrived in Sri Lanka, accompanied by stars Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, to begin the series. The T20I matches will be followed by the ODI series starting on August 2 and will go on till August 7. The ODIs will be played out at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. It is understood that the Indian regulars in ODIs, like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will join the squad in Sri Lanka later.
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In training videos, Gambhir can be seen discussing with his coaching staff and players,, including Sanju Samson. Addressing the team while in a huddle, both Gambhir and Yadav spoke, but it was Gambhir who hogged the centrestage with a detailed, animated conversation.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗚𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗺 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲! 💪#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/sbG7VLfXGc
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 23, 2024
The calm before the storm 🌪️🔥#SonySportsNetwork #SLvIND #TeamIndia #RinkuSingh | @rinkusingh235 pic.twitter.com/sI7teK1QHb
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 23, 2024
The newly appointed head coach has handed out his vision for the Indian men’s team – culling out the importance for a healthy team environment. He hopes to capitalize in the win inspired by India’s success in the 2024 T20 World Cup held recently between the Caribbean and the United States.
The new coach is ready 🤩🇮🇳#SonySportsNetwork #SLvIND #TeamIndia | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/YFESCntXyz
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 23, 2024
Now watching: #TeamIndia‘s new T20I captain 🇮🇳💙
Go well, Surya Dada 👏#SonySportsNetwork #SLvIND | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/aXSic8Z4PS
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 23, 2024
Before heading for Sri Lanka, Gambhir, with Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, attended a conference for a briefing on what was expected of the duo and in extension, his team. Gambhir has placed special emphasis on creating harmony among the team members.
“I have always said that a happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. That’s my responsibility. For me, I don’t complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team. T20 World champions, runner-up in the World Test Championship, and the 50-over World Cup. There are issues to fill but this is a champions’ team,” Gautam Gambhir said.
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Starting July 27, India’s tour of Sri Lanka will kick off with the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The team is all set, as the new leadership dynamic is only looking to build upon the momentum that it has gained at this point in time and tighten its grip even more firmly in the realm of international cricket.
