Key Indian player likely to miss Sri Lanka ODIs, Gambhir eyes senior trio

All-rounder Hardik Pandya is expected to skip the ODI leg of India’s tour of Sri Lanka, while new head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen on including senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah for the series. 

According to the media reports, Pandya, who played a pivotal role in India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean last month and is a frontrunner to lead the team in the T20Is, could miss the ODIs due to personal reasons.

The Indian squads for the Sri Lanka tour, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs, is likely to be announced today. 

This series will mark Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach. There was widespread speculation that senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja would skip the Sri Lanka ODIs to extend their break after the T20 World Cup. 

However, Gambhir seems determined to bring in the senior players for the ODI series, stating, ‘As the Indian team will be getting one more long break thereafter.’

The Sri Lanka series begins with the T20Is on July 27, followed by the ODIs starting on August 2 and concluding on August 7. After this series, there is a six-week gap before India plays Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai on September 19.

India vs Sri Lanka Schedule:

T20I Series:

• 1st T20I: July 27 - 6:30 PM - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
• 2nd T20I: July 28 - 6:30 PM - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
• 3rd T20I: July 30 - 6:30 PM - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

ODI Series:

• 1st ODI: August 2 - 2:00 PM - R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
• 2nd ODI: August 4 - 2:00 PM - R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
• 3rd ODI: August 7 - 2:00 PM - R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo