Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has recently shared his insights on India’s squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which includes a three-match T20I and ODI series set to begin on July 27 in Pallekele.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for this series, appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20 captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma, who continues to lead the side in Tests and ODIs. This tour will also mark the debut of former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the team.
In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Chopra highlighted Shubman Gill’s appointment as the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI squads, suggesting that the young batsman is being groomed for a future leadership role. “If we talk about the ODI squad, Rohit is going, and Shubman Gill is the vice-captain. Interestingly, Shubman Gill has been made the vice-captain of both teams. KL Rahul could probably have been made the vice-captain, but he is not there. So it seems like Gill is the heir apparent,” Aakash Chopra remarked.
‘It shows a bigger role for him because Hardik Pandya is not in ODIs’ – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra also pointed out significant changes in the squad, including the exclusion of Sanju Samson and the return of Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped from the T20 World Cup squad. He emphasized Shivam Dube’s inclusion in both squads, indicating the BCCI’s plan to assign him a significant role in the future, especially with Hardik Pandya absent from the ODI squad due to personal commitments.
“Sanju Samson’s name is not there. Shreyas Iyer – he had a very good World Cup, and he is in the team. Shivam Dube is in both teams, ODIs, and T20Is. It shows a bigger role for him because Hardik Pandya is not in ODIs. Although ODIs will be played later, Pandya not being there gives a hint of his stance on playing the longer format. Remember, he got injured in the last World Cup and didn’t play for six months after that. So you never know how his career shapes up,” Chopra added.
With the squad now set, all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav as he leads a young Indian team against Sri Lanka on their home turf.
India’s T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.
India’s ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.
