Advancements in technology continue to significantly shape the world. Remarkable innovations are emerging in various fields, from healthcare to finance. With rapid changes, understanding these developments becomes crucial.
As technology evolves, its implications on society, economy, and everyday life are profound. Exploring these impacts helps individuals and organizations to navigate this dynamic landscape effectively.
India’s squad for Sri Lanka tour: Gautam Gambhir will meet the selectors soon. Hardik Pandya to be captain for T20Is. KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer to be back for ODIs
Gautam Gambhir, the newly-appointed head coach of India, will convene with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee next week to finalize the squads for the T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka. India is set to play three ODIs and three T20Is beginning with the T20I series on July 26.
With captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah on an extended rest, the focus will be on Hardik Pandya‘s workload and potential to lead. If a stop-gap captain is needed, KL Rahul, who last captained India in an ODI series, may take on that role in the 50-over format. The possibility of Hardik Pandya being announced as the permanent T20I captain remains, though it is yet to be officially confirmed.
Hardik Pandya was India’s vice-captain in the T20 World Cup and is seen as the frontrunner for the T20I captaincy. Team officials and senior members are satisfied with his recent performances and believe he is suitable for leading in the shortest format. It is anticipated that Suryakumar Yadav will be named vice-captain.
Potential Squad Members
| Players | Notes |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Expected inclusion |
| Shubman Gill | Likely to retain his spot |
| Rinku Singh | Prospective selection |
| Washington Sundar | Seen as Ravindra Jadeja’s T20I replacement |
| Avesh Khan or Mukesh Kumar | One of them to be included in the squad |
Bowling Attack
Washington Sundar has performed well on his return in the Zimbabwe series and is viewed as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in T20Is. Pacers Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar have also impressed. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will lead India’s pace attack.
Wicketkeepers
The team may also consider resting Rishabh Pant, who has been playing non-stop cricket since the IPL 2024 and is recovering from a serious injury. As he’s the first-choice keeper in Tests, selectors might prefer Sanju Samson and Dhurv Jurel as keepers for this series to manage Pant’s workload efficiently.
The finalized squads are eagerly awaited, setting up an exciting series with a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer to be back for ODIs
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are set to return for the upcoming ODI series. Gautam Gambhir, who has close connections with both players, played a significant role in their cricketing careers. He notably handed over the Delhi Capitals captaincy to Iyer during IPL 2018. Most recently, Gambhir and Iyer collaborated to end Kolkata Knight Riders’ trophy drought in the IPL.
This will mark Shreyas Iyer’s first series following the loss of his central contract with the BCCI. KL Rahul, on the other hand, has been working closely with Gambhir as mentor-captain for the Lucknow Super Giants. Following his departure from the T20 scene, Rahul’s performance in ODIs will be monitored closely. Although he has potential for a return to T20 cricket, he is also viewed as a potential backup captain for Rohit Sharma in the Test format. However, Rahul’s recurrent injuries have made his cricketing journey challenging. Among emerging talents, Shubman Gill is being considered for a future leadership role.
Notable Points:
- Rahul and Iyer’s ODI return
- Iyer’s first series after losing BCCI contract
- Rahul’s close watch in ODIs post T20 exit
During Dravid’s tenure, strict measures were applied to players like Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, ensuring the replacements performed well. This success was largely due to an aligned vision between Dravid, skipper Rohit, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Gambhir and Agarkar, having been teammates, bring their shared experiences to their strategic decisions alongside the team captains. Their approach will greatly impact Gambhir’s early days as head coach.