India vs Sri Lanka – Hardik Pandya as India T20 Series Captain, Rohit Sharma Return to the Squad: Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kholi is left out of the t20 squad for the team’s series against Sri Lanka. Dhawan also did not find himself in the team for India’s team against ODI, India is set to play a series of t20 and ODI matches against rivals Sri Lanka at their home.
The matches are to initiate from 3rd January with Hardik Pandya to captain the Indian squad and Surykumar Yadav to be his co-captain. The renounced Indian batsman Rohit Sharma is also set to make his return to the Indian squad for the ODI matches to be held at home against rivals Sri Lanka.
To the surprise of all Indian cricket fans, the batting lineup for the t20 format does not consist of the Indian hard hitters such as KL Rahul and former Captain Virat Kholi.
Moreover, following a poor performance against the side of Bangladesh, the batsman Shikhar Dhawan has also been ruled out for India’s matches against Sri Lanka. It was because Shikhar Dhawan managed to score 18 runs in three innings with a poor strike rate of only 51.42.
Following this upset, Rishabh Pant is asked to sit out for the ODI and t20 squad against Sri Lanka. It was after he was given time off following the ODI series against Bangladesh.
Pant however returned and had a good performance in the two test matches scoring 93 runs to lead India to victory in Mirpur.
Following the selection meeting headed by Chetan Sharma, the BCCI press release did not provide any details regarding which players had been ruled out injured or were asked to rest.
Although KL Rahul is part of the squad for the ODI matches against Sri Lanka, he has not been asked to perform as a vice-captain. Hardik Pandeya is set to be India’s captain over Rohit Sharma who is not to be his deputy in his initial ODI following the tour of England held in July.
India vs Sri Lanka: Hardik Pandya India T20 Series Captain Against Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma to Make His Return to the Squad. Rishabh Pant was Left Out of Both Squads.
Rahul was recently a captain against Bangladesh in the third match as Rohit Sharma had to sit out due to a thumb injury.
Another prominent member of the Indian squad Ravindra Jadeja is also not included in the series of matches against Sri Lanka. He has been taking longer than expected to recover from a knee injury that he suffered.
He has not been seen playing for the Indian side following the Asia Cup hosted in the UAE. Although it seemed that the player would return for the matches against Bangladesh this was not the case.
Ravindra Jadeja was forced to withdraw following the NCA medical report deeming him unfit for the upcoming matches.
It is not clear when Jadeja is set to make a return but the India squad is hopeful to have the key player back for the team for the match test series against the Australian side starting in February.
There is a chance that the player gets to play in a trophy game Saurashtra if he gets permission order to prove that he is fit to play in future matches.
The Indian selection team decided to go for more young pacers for the t20 matches against Sri Lanka. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami are not included in the squad who were an integral part of 2022.
Mohammad Shami is however to be a part of the ODI matches which will be his first since India’s tour of England. He had to not take part against Bangladesh following a shoulder injury.
