The three-match T20 series between India and Sri Lanka begins on July 27, and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to captain the Indian team in this series. Pandya was one of the pillars of India’s success in the T20 World Cup last month and will lead the young Indian squad in Sri Lanka. However, he has announced that he will take a vacation for “personal reasons” during the three-match ODI series in August.
Under Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya served as vice-captain. A senior BCCI source, who wanted to remain anonymous, told PTI that Pandya is fully fit and available for the three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka. He will captain the team in place of Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after winning the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024.
The T20Is versus Sri Lanka will start on July 27 at Pallekele. The Indian squad for the series is likely to be announced over the next few days.
While it is unclear who will be Pandya’s deputy, the choice is between Shubman Gill, who recently led India to a 4-1 series victory over Zimbabwe, and Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team in the T20Is against South Africa last year.
Regarding the ODI series on the upcoming India tour of Sri Lanka, the official revealed that Pandya has requested leave and has informed regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is also taking a break from the series. “The absence from ODIs was due to personal reasons. Hardik does not have a fitness concern, as reported in the media,” the official added.
For the ODIs, KL Rahul, who led in the previous ODI series in South Africa, and Gill are competing for the captaincy.
