After the postponement of IPL 2021, the focus of Indian fans now shifts to Team India’s upcoming assignments, including the limited-overs bilateral series against Sri Lanka in July.
Even though India’s second-string team will tour Sri Lanka for three ODIs and as many T20Is, there is a lot of excitement for the series considering the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
See Also: COC Predicted Team India squad for Sri Lanka ODIs and T20Is
Since big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won’t be part of the touring party as they will be in England for the five-match Test series, Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya will compete for the captaincy role if Shreyas Iyer doesn’t get fit in time for the white-ball tour.
“It is still not clear if Shreyas will recover fully and will be match-fit in time for tour of Sri Lanka. Normally, a surgery of this scale along with rest, extensive rehab and training to get back in shape takes around four months,” a senior BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“In case Shreyas was available, he would have been the automatic choice for captaincy.”
In the absence of Iyer, the two contenders for captaincy are 35-year-old Dhawan, who was the top run-getter in the now-suspended IPL 2021 and Pandya, who has established himself as a match-winner in the limited-overs side.
“Shikhar has had two very good IPL including this curtailed one and being the senior most among those who are available for selection, he is a very strong contender. Also he has been a solid performer for India for past eight years,” an official said.
“Yes, Hardik hasn’t been regularly bowling for MI or India in recent times. However, he is the man with x-factor and among options available. He is miles ahead of his peers in terms of being an impact performer. And who knows, may be extra responsibility brings the best out of him.”
According to the SLC proposed itinerary - which the BCCI has approved - the ODI series between Sri Lanka and India is set to kick-start on July 13 after the visiting side completes its mandatory week-long quarantine. The T20I series will run from July 22-27.
(With PTI inputs)
