Indian Squad for Sri Lanka: Many surprising decisions were taken in the selection of Team India’s ODI and T20 team for the Sri Lanka tour. After Gautam Gambhir became the coach, both the condition and direction of Team India seem to have changed. Gambhir’s influence is clearly visible in the selection of the team because not one or two but many such decisions have been taken which are sure to have a far-reaching impact.
A new sunrise for T20!
The command of T20 has been given to Suryakumar Yadav. It is not that Suryakumar Yadav will captain T20 for the first time but for the first time he has been made the permanent captain. By the way, the hope was to make Hardik Pandya the captain of the T20 team. Before the T20 World Cup 2024, he was playing the role of regular captain of T20. When he used to get injured, Suryakumar Yadav used to get the captaincy. But for the T20 World, Rohit Sharma was given the responsibility of captaincy. Hardik was in the role of Rohit’s deputy in this tournament and again staked his claim for captaincy by performing brilliantly with both bat and ball. After Gautam Gambhir became the head coach, the equations changed and Suryakumar Yadav was trusted. Not only this, by making Shubman Gill the vice-captain of both ODI and T20 teams, indications of the future were also given.
No rest for Rohit
Gautam has indicated to the players as soon as he took over the new responsibility that he is very serious about his work. He showed a glimpse of this by not giving rest to captain Rohit Sharma on the Sri Lanka tour. Rohit had expressed his desire not to go on the Sri Lanka tour but the selectors did not listen to him. It is believed that this has been done on Gambhir’s insistence. Gambhir wants to start preparing for the Champions Trophy to be held next year, so he is going on the Sri Lanka tour with the whole team. Virat Kohli is also a part of the ODI series, usually he also takes a break from such series after big tournaments. Both Rohit and Virat are going to play an important role in Gautam Gambhir’s future plans. At least for the Champions Trophy and World Test Championship to be held next year, the highest expectations are from these two.
Riyan Parag dominates Abhishek and Rituraj!
Abhishek Sharma scored a stormy century in the recent Zimbabwe series but he did not get a place in any team on the Sri Lanka tour. At the same time, Riyan Parag, whose performance was not good in the Zimbabwe series, was given a place not only in the T20 but also in the ODI team. Chennai Super Kings captain Rituraj Gaikwad, who has made his mark as a solid batsman, also failed to make a place in the team of both formats. Rinku Singh also got a place in the T20 but was kept out of the ODI team. The situation is similar for Yashasvi Jaiswal. This opener, who has consistently got a place in Test and T20, has not been included in the ODI team.
Jadeja also out of ODI team
Team India’s number one all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from the T20 format along with Rohit and Virat after the World Cup final. But he was not even given a place in the ODI team on the Sri Lanka tour. In recent times, questions were being raised about his batting. Now it seems that the team management wants to give more and more opportunities to Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar as a replacement for him. On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav has confirmed his place as the team’s number spinner on the basis of his performance. If the signs are to be believed, Ravindra Jadeja’s career with the white ball is now on the decline.
Shreyas Iyer’s comeback
After brilliant batting in the ODI World Cup, Shreyas Iyer’s career started to falter. He was also dropped from Team India’s central contract due to discipline. But after Gautam Gambhir became the head coach, Shreyas’ fortunes have started to change. Shreyas has been included in the ODI team for the Sri Lanka tour. Let us remind you that under Shreyas’ captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders became the IPL champion this time and at that time Gambhir was in the role of KKR’s mentor. It is possible that Shreyas may soon get a place in the central contract again.
Harshit Rana gets a chance
KKR’s fast bowler Harshit Rana has been included in the ODI team. As KKR’s mentor, Gambhir has seen Harshit closely and is very impressed with his bowling. In such a situation, by including Harshit in the ODI team, Gambhir has shown that he is ready to play big bets to achieve the target.
Tags: Gautam Gambhir, Indian Cricket Team, Team India
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 19, 2024, 15:55 IST