Hardik Pandya to lead India in T20I series against Sri Lanka

Hardik Pandya will lead India in the home T20Is against Sri Lanka beginning on January 3 in Mumbai.

Regular captain Rohit Sharma, who had resumed batting at nets at the Bandra Kurla Complex ground in Mumbai a couple of days back, will return for the ODI leg of Sri Lanka’s tour, which begins in Guwahati on January 10. 

Rohit sustained a left thumb injury while fielding at slip during the second ODI versus Bangladesh earlier this month and was sidelined for the final one-dayer along with the two Test series thereafter.

Pandya will be Rohit’s deputy in the ODI series, while Suryakumar Yadav has been named vice-captain for the three T20Is. The home series versus Sri Lanka is believed to kick-start the transition in Indian cricket, especially in terms of having separate captains for Tests/ODIs and T20Is.

Former skipper Virat Kohli, too, has been rested for the T20Is but will be back when the ODI series against the Sri Lankans gets underway.

Keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar haven’t been included in any of the two squads that were announced on Tuesday after a selection committee meeting. According to sources, fitness issues have kept both cricketers out.

However, Shikhar Dhawan, after a lean patch in the series in Bangladesh which India lost 1-2, found no place in the ODI squad. Dhawan aggregates only 49 runs in his last five ODI innings and with Ishan Kishan making a statement with his double century in the third and final ODI against the Bangladeshis, the scenario became even tougher for the senior opener.

It now remains to be seen if Dhawan is re-considered later in 2023 ahead of the 50-overs World Cup, or, if it’s the end of the road for the left-hander.

Kishan, following his 210- run knock in Chittagong, has found a place in both the T20I and ODI squads. Alongside the Jharkhand player, Sanju Samson is the second keeper-batter for the T20Is, while KL Rahul — not there for the shortest format — features in the ODI squad.

Senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who last donned India colours in the forgettable T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Adelaide, made a comeback with inclusion in the ODI group. 

The likes of ShubmanGill (also in the ODI squad), Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi have also been included in the T20I group, while young quicks Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malikfind themselves in both squads along with Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal.

If India do beat Sri Lanka in the T20Is, that will further consolidate Pandya’s chances of becoming the regular skipper for the shortest format, keeping in mind the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya has done well as captain, leading India to series wins against Ireland and New Zealand, both being away tours.

Call-up for Mukesh

Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar seems to be going through a wonderful phase. After bagging his maiden IPL deal of Rs 5.5 crore with Delhi Capitals, Mukesh has now been included in the T20I squad.

His consistent performances for Bengal and India A (at home against New Zealand A and away versus Bangladesh A) seem to have worked well in impressing the selectors.

The right-arm pacer’smaiden India call-up, though,was for the home one-dayers against South Africa back in October. 

Uttar Pradesh and former Kolkata Knight Riders quick, Shivam Mavi, has also found a place in the T20I group alongside Mukesh.  

--Agencies