Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: In a significant shift in leadership, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that star batter Suryakumar Yadav will succeed Rohit Sharma as the new captain of the T20I team. This change comes ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma, fresh from leading India to a T20 World Cup victory, will return to lead the team in the ODI format, with Virat Kohli also making his comeback to the fifty-over squad.
Suryakumar Yadav, who previously captained the T20I team during the away series against South Africa, steps into the role as Rohit Sharma was unavailable following a demanding ODI World Cup. Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during the T20 World Cup, is also named in the T20I squad despite previous reports of fitness concerns preventing him from taking on captaincy duties. Leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the Sri Lanka tour.
Shubman Gill has been appointed as the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka series. Under his leadership, a second-string Indian side recently outperformed Zimbabwe, winning the series 4-1. Power-hitter Sanju Samson, Gill’s deputy during the Zimbabwe series, has also been included in the white-ball squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
Young talents like opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, all-rounder Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Riyan Parag have retained their places for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma, who impressed against Zimbabwe, were not named in the T20I squad. Among the bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel return to the T20I setup, while Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, and Khaleel Ahmed have kept their spots from the Zimbabwe tour.
Speculation had been rife about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s participation in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, but it has now been confirmed that both will make their return. This series will also mark Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as India’s head coach. KL Rahul retains his place in the ODI squad, with Rishabh Pant also making a comeback to the fifty-over format.
Shreyas Iyer, who was previously removed from the BCCI annual contract list, has been rewarded for his consistent performance in the Ranji Trophy and a successful IPL season with the Kolkata Knight Riders. He will reunite with Gambhir for the ODIs. Riyan Parag received his first call-up to the ODI team, while Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Harshit Rana strengthen the pace attack. Among spinners, Gambhir and Rohit have shown faith in Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.
ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
