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Suryakumar Yadav is set to succeed Rohit Sharma as T20I captain, while Rohit and Virat Kohli will play in the ODI series during India's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
The transition is significant as Hardik Pandya is not included in the T20I leadership group, marking Gautam Gambhir's first assignment as India's men's head coach.
The national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, finalized the squad in an online meeting on Tuesday evening, ahead of the T20I team's departure on July 22. Despite the hour-long meeting being friendly, the past three days were quite eventful.
Lanky pacer Harshit Rana and middle-order batter Riyan Parag, who made their T20I debuts in Zimbabwe, have received their first ODI call-ups. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer will return to play for India for the first time since losing his BCCI contract.
“The BCCI will continue to monitor player availability and participation in the upcoming domestic cricket season,” noted the BCCI statement.
According to reports, Gambhir and Agarkar persuaded Rohit and Kohli to join the Sri Lanka ODIs, even though they were initially expected to take a break. With only six ODIs, including three in Sri Lanka in August, before next year’s Champions Trophy, the veterans' experience will be crucial for preparing for the upcoming challenges.
A lot of drama emerged during a conference call with Hardik on Monday. Due to concerns about Hardik’s fitness, declining form, and his less effective strategizing in the 16 T20Is he led since the last T20 World Cup, selectors and Gambhir decided a change was needed.
The decision surprised Hardik and some BCCI officials, who expected that as Rohit’s deputy during the successful T20 World Cup, Hardik would be promoted to permanent T20I captain.
However, Gambhir insisted on Suryakumar Yadav, one of his favorite cricketers from his playing days, as the T20I captain. Suryakumar was chosen over Hardik and Rishabh Pant, whose name was also considered.
Suryakumar Yadav, who led India in seven T20Is last year, is familiar with captaincy. However, his leadership will be tested as India prepares for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Hardik, who is now expected to play in all domestic limited-overs tournaments, has been replaced as vice-captain by Shubman Gill.
Gambhir’s influence was clear in Rana's ODI selection. The Delhi pacer shone during Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2024 title win, with Gambhir serving as the team's mentor.