Mumbai: With reports suggesting that the Indian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka will be announced on Thursday, there are massive speculations over who will lead the T20I side. Once Rohit Sharma retired after the T20 World Cup triumph, the feeling was that Hardik Pandya takes over. But now, there is a report that has suggested that the Indian board is concerned over Hardik’s fitness. Suryakumar Yadav is the other name that is doing the rounds and a few reports suggest that he is now the frontrunner for becoming the T20I captain.
A new report on Dainik Jagran has provided a fresh twist to the story. The Dainik Jagran report claims that Rohit is trying to push Suryakumar’s case with Gambhir.
Just Now –
It is Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma’s decision to appoint Surya Kumar Yadav as next T20I captain.
– (Times of India) pic.twitter.com/XhMfs82Upg
— Satish Mishra (@SATISHMISH78) July 18, 2024
Full report… pic.twitter.com/NOO9e8jhk5
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) July 17, 2024
The selectors are set to meet Gambhir on Thursday before the squad announcement happens. India play three T20Is in Sri Lanka, starting July 27 before the ODIs begin on August 2.
Meanwhile, Gambhir is facing many obstacles from BCCI in finalising his supporting staff. Unlike the previous head coaches, Gambhir has faced resistance from the BCCI for the majority of his picks. Gambhir’s latest recommendation of Morne Morkel as the bowling coach also faced rejection.
Gambhir was eager to include former South African speedster Morne Morkel, who served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during last year’s ODI World Cup and is currently with IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants, in his coaching staff. However, The Economic Times reports that the BCCI has turned down Gambhir’s proposal.
