Hardik Pandya likely to be T20I skipper for Sri Lanka, veteran star to lead in the ODI series

Team India is already looking forward to their next series which is to be played in Sri Lanka from the 27th of July to the 7th of August. According to reports doing the rounds, Hardik Pandya is set to lead India in the three-match T20I series. 

The ODI side as per the same reports will be led by KL Rahul who hasn’t played for India since the start of the year. The 32-year-old was overlooked for the T20I World Cup despite enjoying yet another amazing season in the IPL. 

According to an unnamed BCCI source said to the media, “KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma as the board believes he makes runs in the longer format”. While speaking about Hardik Pandya the source added “Hardik Pandya is set to lead the Indian side in the T20 format. Rohit Sharma has retired, and Hardik is unlikely to be rested for the upcoming  series vs Sri Lanka.”

Hardik Pandya played a critical role in the T20 World Cup and bowled the decisive final over of the game. The 30-year-old has already captained the Indian side on a few occasions in the T20I format and is currently the captain of Mumbai Indians. 

A new era under Gautam Gambhir set to begin 

The tour of Sri Lanka which comprises of 3 T20I and 3 ODI matches will be the first series with Gautam Gambhir as the coach. The former Indian star batter was announced as the new coach by Jay Shah late on Tuesday night. "It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close,” he wrote.

Jay Shah also wrote, “Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward. His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The @BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey.”