Mumbai: Following the T20 World Cup 2024 win, the team is in Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series. With most senior players missing from action in the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, there is much speculation that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may return for the Lankan series. But is it true? No, as per a report in the Indian Express, Rohit and Kohli are set to miss the series. And the same report suggests that the two Indian cricketing stalwarts would return to the squad in September for the series against Bangladesh.
So, who will lead the side in their absence. Reports suggest that either Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul would be in charge of the squad for the Sri Lanka series. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has already confirmed that Rohit would be leading the side in the upcoming Champions Trophy in 2025.
“Both (Rohit and Kohli) are automatic choices in ODI set up and the three 50 over games against England before the Champions Trophy is good enough practice for them. For next few months, they both will prioritize Tests and India will play 10 of them between September to January,” a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source told PTI.
“The Champions Trophy will happen in mid February and they don’t need to go for a week-long 3 match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome but I guess they would want rest,” the source added.
India’s Predicted Squad for Sri Lanka Series: Hardik Pandya (C), Abhishek Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
