India’s upcoming ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour is set to include most of the players from last year’s ODI World Cup squad, except Ishan Kishan. Rishabh Pant is expected to replace Kishan in the team.
While the ODI squad selection is straightforward, unlike the ongoing deliberations for the T20I captaincy between Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, it’s clear that Rohit Sharma will lead the ODI team.
Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja after winning the T20 World Cup, will make his comeback as the ODI captain. Initially seeking a break from cricket, Rohit was persuaded by coach Gautam Gambhir to lead the team and plan for upcoming tournaments, including the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Ishan Kishan’s absence from the squad comes amidst controversy following his decision to return from the South Africa tour earlier this year due to personal reasons, against the advice of then-coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma. This move led to Kishan’s exclusion from central contracts and subsequent non-selection in any format.
In response, Kishan cited travel fatigue as the reason for his mid-tour departure and expressed disappointment over the lack of understanding from others. He acknowledged the BCCI’s requirement to prove fitness through domestic cricket but remained focused on improving his game and making a comeback.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, despite losing his national contract due to missing domestic cricket, is expected to return to the ODI squad. KL Rahul, another key player, will also make his comeback. The status of Rahul’s role as the primary wicketkeeper remains to be seen with Rishabh Pant’s return to full fitness.
Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah (rested), and Mohammed Shami (injured) will not be part of the ODI squad. The series against Sri Lanka, starting from August 2, will feature three ODIs, crucial for India’s preparations leading up to the Champions Trophy and under Gambhir’s new coaching regime.
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