Hardik Pandya Leads India for Sri Lanka T20 Series as Rohit Sharma Takes a Step Back

Star cricketer Hardik Pandya is set to lead India in a three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka starting July 27. He will, however, skip the subsequent ODI series in August for personal reasons. BCCI officials have emphasized the need for players to be available for domestic matches.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to lead India in the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, beginning on July 27.

Despite his T20 World Cup heroics last month, Pandya will be taking a break during the three-match ODI series in August, citing personal reasons.

A senior BCCI source confirmed Pandya's role as India's T20I captain and clarified that he is fit and ready for the series.

Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from T20 Internationals, will be missing from the lineup.

The T20Is will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, while the ODIs will take place from August 2 to 7 in Colombo, with the squad announcement anticipated soon.

Questions remain about Pandya's deputy, with Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav as potential candidates.

Pandya has already communicated his break from the ODIs to regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is also taking a break.

KL Rahul and Gill are considered for the ODI leadership in Pandya's absence.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized that star cricketers must participate in domestic games when not on national duty, except for a few notable exceptions like Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The board wants Test specialists to play at least one Duleep Trophy game in August as preparation for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

(With inputs from agencies.)