India to Rest Rohit Sharma; Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul Top Contenders for ODI Captaincy Against Sri Lanka | Reports

July 9, 2024 0 894

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul are the top contenders to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, as Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, is set to be rested for the tour.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul are competing to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka next month. Reports indicate that Indian captain Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, will be rested for the tour, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs. In Rohit’s absence, Pandya, who was Rohit’s deputy in the T20 World Cup 2024, is a strong contender for the captaincy, along with Rahul, who captained India in the last ODI series against South Africa in December 2023.

Rohit, recently confirmed as India’s captain for ODIs and Tests by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, was initially expected to lead the team against Sri Lanka. However, he will now rest alongside Kohli and Bumrah and join the squad for the Test series against Bangladesh in September.

“Senior players can take some rest and get ready for the full cricket season ahead. Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah have been offered rest and will join the team for the Test matches against Bangladesh in September,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Another source informed PTI that three ODIs against England in February 2025 will be sufficient preparation for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. Over the next few months, they will focus on Test matches, with India scheduled to play 10 between September and January.

“Both are automatic choices in the ODI setup, and the three 50-over games against England before the Champions Trophy are good enough practice for them. For the next few months, they both will prioritise Tests, and India will play 10 of them between September to January,” a source told PTI.

“The Champions Trophy will happen in mid-February, and they don’t need to go for a week-long 3-match ODIs in Sri Lanka. If they want, they are most welcome, but I guess they would want rest,” they added.

The week-long three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka is scheduled for August 2, 4, and 7. Hardik Pandya has led India in three ODIs, while Rahul has captained in 12, winning eight. Rahul, a regular member of the ODI team, last played for India against England in January 2024.