Why Rohit Sharma could be included in Gautam Gambhir's revamped team India for Sri Lanka ODI series
Rumour has it: Hardik Pandya is gunning for the vacant captaincy spot after Rohit Sharma called time on his illustrious T20I career by leading India to its second ICC World Cup title in the shortest format. Making way for the younger generation to step up in T20Is, World Cup winners Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have bid farewell to the format after Team India's title-winning run in the Caribbean.
Even though Rohit and Kohli are no longer playing in the shortest format, the batting icons will still be present in other game types. It was expected that Rohit, Kohli, and pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah would be rested for the forthcoming white-ball series between Sri Lanka and India. Gautam Gambhir's first job as India's head coach will be the One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series. Following India's victory in the T20 World Cup last month in Barbados, Gambhir succeeded Rahul Dravid.
Why Rohit Sharma can feature in Gautam Gambhir's new-look India
It has been discovered that Rohit may play in the ODI series between the Asian heavyweights in Sri Lanka, per a report published by Cricbuzz. Gambhir has made it clear that he anticipates every player to be eligible for India in every format. Additionally, there's a chance Rohit will be available for the August three-match ODI series.
Since India will be playing limited 50-over cricket in the run-up to the ICC Champions Trophy, Rohit may commit to the Sri Lanka series. The only ODIs that Team India has left to play before the ICC event are six. It was previously stated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that Rohit will captain India in the Champions Trophy.
If not Rohit, then who will lead India in ODIs?
In the One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka, Rohit, 37, will captain India if he gets added to the team. But it is said that Bumrah and Kohli, two seasoned players, have been rested for the ODI series. Leading batsman KL Rahul is predicted to captain India against the Islanders should Rohit decide not to play in the Sri Lanka ODI series.
Pandya will miss the ODI series after playing in the T20I portion of the Sri Lankan tour, according to a number of sources. On August 2, Sri Lanka will play India in the first match of the ODI series at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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- With inputs from agencies
