Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul are in a race to lead India in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka next month. According to reports, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is all set to be rested for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, where India will face three T20Is and as many ODIs. As per the PTI report, in Rohit’s absence, Pandya, who has served as Rohit deputy in the T20 World Cup 2024, is in line to become India captain along with KL Rahul, who was India’s captain during the last ODI series against South Africa in December 2023.
Hardik has led India in three ODIs so far, whereas Rahul has served as India’s captain in 12 ODIs, out of which he has won eight. The 31-year-old right-handed batter from Karnataka, who is a regular member of the ODI team, last played for India against England in January 2024 during the first Test of the five-match series.
Rohit, who became the third Indian captain to win an ICC trophy last month, was confirmed as India’s captain in ODIs and Tests last week by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. He was expected to lead the side during the Sri Lanka ODIs, but it was reported on Monday that he was offered rest along with Kohli and Bumrah and will now join the team ahead of a two-match 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 told news agency PTI that three ODIs against England in February 2025 will be enough for Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah to get ready for the ICC Champions Trophy.
“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 was quoted as saying by the news agency.
“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,” the source added.
The three ODIs between India and Sri Lanka are scheduled to take place on August 2, 4 and 7.
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