India Squads for Sri Lanka Series: Gambhir to Meet Selectors as SKY, Pant, Hardik to Return; Extended Break

Gautam Gambhir is all set to take charge of the Indian cricket team as the head coach for the team’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka, starting July 27, and it is expected the new head coach will meet the selectors this week to discuss the T20I and ODI squads for the tour of Sri Lanka. India are to play three T20Is and three ODIs, with few regulars expected to return after a break.

In the absence of Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj – all of whom were part of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies last month, a young Indian team led by Shubman Gill toured Zimbabwe and made a strong statement with 4-1 series in the T20I format.

With Gambhir officially announced as the head coach, the former India opener will be at the helm of affairs starting the SL series, and there could be a lot of changes to the squads, especially in the T20I squad, with the bigwigs expected to return.

Here’s a look at the potential changes to the Indian T20I squad for the SL series.

Gaikwad to be Omitted?

With a jumbo squad of 18 players for the Zimbabwe series, the openers – Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal – will likely continue to be India’s first-choice openers. However, regarding Ruturaj Gaikwad, the Maharashtra player could likely be omitted from the T20 squad in favour of a returning Suryakumar Yadav, who could very likely be vice-captain for the series. Hardik Pandya is also expected to return to come in as the captain. The return of Axar Patel will give the Indian middle-order a different look from the Zimbabwe series.

Rinku Ahead of Dube; Parag, Sudharsan to Miss out?

Under Gambhir, Sanju Samson could get more opportunities, and the Indian middle-order for the SL series could very well be SKY, Samson, Pandya, Axar and Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh as the late-order enforcer. This would mean Riyan Parag, Sai Sudharsan, and Jitesh Sharma could miss out.

Extended Rest for Pant; Jurel to Pip Jitesh?

Considering Rishabh Pant has been playing non-stop since recovering from his career-threatening accident, he could be given an extended break to be fresh for the Bangladesh Test, which will begin on Sept 19. In that case, Dhruv Jurel could pip Jitesh Sharma as the backup wicketkeeping option.

Kuldeep to Return?

The return of Kuldeep Yadav would mean one of the pacers could make way, considering the SL conditions that suit spinners more. Washington Sundar, who had an excellent Zimbabwe series, could hold on to his place in the squad as the backup spin bowling allrounder backup to Axar, with Kuldeep and Bishnoi being the two frontline spinners.

Khaleel to Make Way for Arshdeep?

If left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh returns, Khaleel Ahmed is the most likely candidate to be left out. To accommodate an extra spinner, Indian team management may also leave out Tushar Deshpande and Mukesh Kumar. Avesh Khan and Harshit Rana could find a place in the 16-member squad, with Mohammad Siraj also being given an extended break – even though the Hyderabad pacer could feature in the ODI leg of the tour. Abhishek Sharma could be the backup opener to round off the squad.

India’s Likely Squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana

Here’s a look at India’s likely ODI squad for the SL series.

Rohit, Kohli, Bumrah to Get Extended Break?

In ODIs, two big names who could return are Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Both players were not considered for the T20 World Cup, but Gambhir, who mentored KKR under the leadership of Iyer to the IPL 2024 title and who worked with Rahul closely at Lucknow Super Giants, could get a new lease on life as an Indian player. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20I format but will be available for selection in ODIs. However, the trio will likely get an extended break, and we will see them straight in the Bangladesh Test. The same can be speculated about Jasprit Bumrah.

Gill and Jaiswal, with their exploits in Zimbabwe, could be India’s all-format openers, and signs of that could be clear regarding how Gambhir picks the squad for SL ODIs. KL Rahul could be back occupying his preferred No.5 slot while Iyer, in the absence of Kohli, could move to No.3. That leaves Samson or Pant to take up the No.5 slot. If Pant is rested, Samson is most likely to get the spot. Otherwise, Pant is the most probable choice. Suryakumar Yadav could miss out on the ODI scheme of things under Gambhir after averaging only 25 in 27 ODIs he has played.

Captaincy Dilemma? Pandya, Rahul or Iyer?

An interesting toss-up here will be who will be named captain and vice-captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Pant. Gill did lead India in T20Is in Zimbabwe, but in ODIs, the prodigal prince may have to wait a bit. Pandya is the natural choice to lead, with KL as his deputy, while IPL-winning captain Iyer will also be in the mix.

Axar to Pip Jadeja in ODIs?

If fit, Pandya should slot in nicely at No.6 with Axar at No.7. There is a case for Ravindra Jadeja. Still, Axar’s exploits with both bat and ball have made him an indispensable resource in white-ball cricket for India, and this could be the start of the allrounder coming out of the shadows of Jadeja in all formats for the team.

Kuldeep and Bishnoi are likely to be India’s frontline spinners in the ODIs for the foreseeable future, with Sundar acting as the backup spinner cum backup allrounder. With Pandya as the third bowling option, Arshdeep, Mohammad Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Avesh are likely to be the pace unit that India could take to Sri Lanka.

As for backups for batting slots – Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan seemed primed to be next in line, along with Jurel as the third wicketkeeping option, provided KL continues to keep wickets in ODIs and Samson plays as a pure batter in the playing XI. Even though it will be amiss not to mention Ishan Kishan in this mix, unfortunately, the Jharkhand player seems to be continuously lagging out in the race.

India’s Likely Squad for Sri Lanka ODIs

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Avesh Khan, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar.