Suryakumar Yadav has been anointed as Rohit Sharma’s heir apparent in T20Is while Rohit and Virat Kohli have made themselves available for the ODI leg of India’s forthcoming limited-overs series in Sri Lanka.
The transition – with Hardik Pandya being overlooked from the leadership group from the shortest format – is significant considering the tour will be Gautam Gambhir’s first official assignment as India men’s head coach.
The national selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, met online on Tuesday evening to finalise the squad ahead of the T20I squad’s departure on July 22. While the hour-long meeting is understood to have been a cordial affair, the last three days were eventful.
Lanky pacer Harshit Rana and middle-order bat Riyan Parag – who debuted in T20Is in Zimbabwe – have earned maiden call-ups in ODIs while Shreyas Iyer will feature in India’s blues for the first time since being stripped off the BCCI contract.
“The BCCI will continue to monitor player availability and participation in the upcoming domestic cricket season,” noted the BCCI statement.
Sportstar understands that Gambhir and Agarkar reached out to Rohit and Kohli – who were supposed to take a break from the Sri Lanka ODIs – and convinced the duo to join the squad in Sri Lanka. With India set to play only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka in August, before next year’s Champions Trophy, the veterans’ presence will be crucial to plan for the next stern test.
A lot of drama, however, unfolded during a conference call with Hardik on Monday. Considering Hardik’s fitness concerns, form on the wane and his “unimpressive strategising” during the 16 T20Is he led India in between the last two T20 World Cups, the selectors and Gambhir wanted a change.
The move came as a surprise to Hardik, along with a section of BCCI officials, who assumed that with the all-rounder being Rohit’s deputy for the triumphant T20 World Cup, he would be elevated as permanent T20I captain.
However, Gambhir is understood to have put his foot down for Suryakumar, one of his most favourite cricketers since the former opener’s playing days, getting the nod ahead of Hardik and Rishabh Pant, whose name was also discussed.
Having led India in seven T20Is last year, Suryakumar is no stranger to captaincy. But the maverick batter’s mettle will be tested in the lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil. Hardik – who has been asked to feature in all the domestic limited overs’ tournaments – was also replaced as vice-captain by Shubman Gill.
Gambhir’s footprint was also evident in Rana’s selection for the ODIs. The Delhi pacer was a star act in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title run in IPL 2024, with Gambhir as the team mentor.
INDIA T20I SQUAD
INDIA ODI SQUAD
INDIA VS SRI LANKA 2024 FULL SCHEDULE:
- First T20I: July 27, PICS (Pallekele) - 7 PM IST
- Second T20I: July 28, PICS (Pallekele) - 7 PM IST
- Third T20I: July 30, PICS (Pallekele) - 7 PM IST
- First ODI: August 2, RPICS (Colombo) - 2.30 PM IST
- Second ODI: August 4, RPICS (Colombo) - 2.30 PM IST
- Third ODI: August 7, RPICS (Colombo) - 2.30 PM IST
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