BCCI announces a revised schedule for White Ball series vs Sri Lanka
The BCCI announced the amended itinerary for the next white-ball series against Sri Lanka on Saturday (July 13) via X (previously Twitter). The three T20Is will now be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30, rather than July 26, 27, and 29. The three ODI matches will be played at Colombo's legendary R. Premadasa Stadium on August 2, 4, and 7, rather than August 1, 4, and 7.
The BCCI is yet to select India's lineup for the forthcoming white-ball matches of the series. According to reports, Gautam Gambhir, India's new head coach, will meet with top selector Ajit Agarkar next week to decide on the Indian team.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals last month, is also slated to miss the ODI series, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Hardik Pandya is the top frontrunner to succeed him as T20I captain, while KL Rahul is anticipated to lead India in the three ODIs. The 31-year-old Karnataka batsman has been an important component of India's ODI squad, leading the second-string side to a series victory against South Africa in December 2023.
Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, will also get another chance to play for India in ODIs after being rested for the South Africa series last year. The right-handed hitter scored over 500 runs in the ODI World Cup 2023, but he lost his primary contract after skipping Ranji Trophy games.
It would be intriguing to watch how many players from India's current tour of Zimbabwe make the squad for the next six white-ball matches against the Islanders.
After failing to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s last month, Sri Lanka would like to put on a huge display and give supporters something to cheer about. Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya will take over as the Islanders' new head coach for the forthcoming series.
The hosts will also have a new captain in the T20Is after ace all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down a few days ago.
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