In an upset for the fans, former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has cut short his break and agreed to feature in the announced three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka in August. As per Express Sports, this decision also holds the provision of Rohit Sharma being available for the series, which was the start of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching career at the 50-over format.
Unexpected Return of Senior Players
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The comeback of Kohli and Rohit Sharma is quite interesting, especially since the two, along with Jasprit Bumrah, were expected to take a break in the next series. The senior pros were supposed to skip this part of the tour, and therefore their inclusion back in Indian colors was more observable.
This series will be the first time the Indian openers will be seen playing in the Indian jersey after announcing their T20I retirement. Their inclusion may well beef up the Indian side, especially in terms of strength and wealth of experience.
Bumrah to Miss Series, Pant and Parag to Feature
Although Kohli and Sharma will be in the eleventh, India’s leading T20I bowler and premier ODI bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will not be part of the T20I or ODI series in Sri Lanka. It can be said that the Indian bowlers will feel the absence of Bumrah sorely, but the team management will have to look at other options for the bowling lineup.
They also took Rishabh Pant on board, and he came back successfully for India during the T20 World Cup. Pant, along with the youngster Riyan Parag, will be part of both the T20I and ODI teams. This series presents Parag with a good chance of setting his destination in the global arena.
Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be announced as Rohit Sharma’s T20I heir, getting the call over Hardik Pandya. Yadav has been very consistent in his performance and has emerged as a good leader, which has seen the selectors give him more responsibility in the team.
Critical Series Before Champion Trophy 2025
The ODI series against Sri Lanka is dear for the Indian team as it belongs to the preparation process for the Champion Trophy 2025. Before this big event, India will be playing a total of only six ODIs, and hence, this gives maximum importance to every match to learn, improve, and build different strategies and team combinations.
The tour will begin with the T20I series, from July 26 to August 2, and then the three ODIs will follow from August 4 to August 7. It also means that the matches will not only be awaited because of the action of the two coming-back legends but also because of the likely new leadership and youthful talents.
However, the Indian cricket team icon Virat Kohli, along with captain Rohit Sharma, joined in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, It can be considered a major advancement for Indian cricket. They are certain to strengthen the team as they build for the Champion Trophy in 2025.
A change in the team and a young set of players, including Riyan Parag, being given a chance by the team management under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the 50-over formats have made this series another interesting part of Indian cricket. Moreover, the latest news suggests that the new coach has already started making changes. Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the new T20 captain, replacing first-choice Hardik Pandya.
Also Read: India’s Cricket Captaincy-Pandya or Yadav?
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