It is to be followed by a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, which gets underway from July 27 onwards. As the upcoming tour comes closer, BCCI selection committee announced some key changes in the roster for the tour, with the most surprising one being the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the T20Is instead of Hardik Pandya.
Suryakumar has struggled a great deal in one-day internationals and that was very much evident in the 50-over World Cup last year. The Mumbaikar averages a paltry 25.76 in 37 ODIs and has never been able to keep pace. With only six One-Day Internationals going to be held before the Champions Trophy, the selectors have decided to focus on other options.
“Though Gambhir did not directly plead Surya’s case in the call, he made it amply clear that he would want to work with a captain whose workload does not become a stumbling block,” a BCCI official had earlier told Hindustan Times. Agarkar laid his thoughts crystal clear.
Like Suryakumar, Hardik was also overlooked in the ODI team. There is no replacement for Hardik in India, although they have been grooming Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as a bowling all-rounder when the Champions Trophy is happening in Pakistan.
The opener Shubman Gill is now a potential captain as he was made the vice-captain for both the ODI and T20I teams. Ravindra Jadeja may soon stop playing in ODIs as well. He has already retired from T20Is. Axar Patel’s performance has cost him standing within the team. We saw Jadeja slipping out of the spotlight as Sundar also made an appearance.
There has been the inclusion of both teams of Riyan Parag. He bats at number five in domestic cricket and has had consistency in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Hence, owing to his flexibility in position, Parag could slot in in the lower-order slot. Ravi Bishnoi was one of Gambhir’s first signings at LSG and is expected to be a key player in the near future.