India's squad for the three-match T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka has been announced by the Indian Cricket Board on Tuesday. India captain Rohit Sharma is all set to make comeback in the ODI series, while Hardik Pandya will continue to lead the national side in the T20I series.
Once again, the India Cricket Board has not given any official confirmation on whether this is going to be a long-term arrangement or for only the Sri Lanka series. Rohit is also not part of the T20I side along with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. It’s being said that these star cricketers will not be making a return to the T20I squad as India is looking to build a modern-day unit with the 2024 T20 World Cup in the mind.
Shikhar Dhawan is out from the ODIs as well
There were many surprises in the announcement. The biggest omission is that of Rishabh Pant from both squads. While some of the media houses have reported that Pant is out with an injury, the officials did not give any official reason for him missing the ODIs and T20Is.
Interestingly, Shikhar Dhawan is also dropped from the ODI squad, while Shubman Gill will continue to be another opening option for Rohit, along with Ishan Kishan, who scored a double-century in the ODI series against Bangladesh. Rahul will also make a comeback after a break in the T20I series. Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer will form the middle order, while Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel are the all-round options.
Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav are spin bowling options. After a long time, Kul-Cha will play together in an ODI series. Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, and Arshdeep Singh will form India's fast-bowling lineup.
Suryakumar Yadav, who has made an unprecedented jump at the international level, is the vice-captain for T20Is against Sri Lanka and Pandya is the vice-captain for ODIs. Sanju Samson has been included only in the T20I squad.
Here's how fans reacted:
Or Kitne changes kroge team me!#INDvsSL
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) December 28, 2022
Unfair decision from Selectors @BCCI ... @SDhawan25 his numbers speaks who he is...
— M Kumaresh Santhosh (@MKumareshSanth1) December 28, 2022
What a ridiculous! .. pic.twitter.com/dhrXkkRThs
Don't know why Virat Kohli isn't playing t20 series against Sri Lanka.#INDvsSL
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 27, 2022
BCCI to BCCI to
Virat Kohli Virat Kohli when
in bilateral series world cup is near pic.twitter.com/HcStkUBFyH
Jab T20i WC khelna tha toh ODI series me aur ODI WC Agaya toh T20i pe Ghusado...!!!feel for @IamSanjuSamson..... Shame on @BCCI
— SURESH BAG🇮🇳 (@SURESHB99482435) December 28, 2022
संजू सैमसन का नहीं चुना जाना ये कैसी मानसिकता है🤫
— Niraj Kumar (@NirajYa87164313) December 28, 2022
One bad series and...😓#Dhawan #ShikharDhawan #SanjuSamson #RishabhPant #BCCI #RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵 #PakvsNZ #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/IcTLnbX4tA
— Madhav Maurya🇮🇳😎 (@MadhavMourya113) December 28, 2022
Sanju, prithvi are not getting opportunities and player like Rahul in squad idk what type of selection is this...
— Nikhil Pawar (@NikhilP67684875) December 28, 2022
महम्मद सिराज तो बनता था यार यहाँ भी दोगली चाल पर गयी।।।।देखा जाए क्या अच्छा होता है
— Nasim Alam (@danishk11290930) December 28, 2022
#KLRahul se itna pyaar to #AthiyaShetty nahi karti hogi jitna @BCCI karta hai...!
— स्वानंद करमरकर (नागपूर, महाराष्ट्र) 🇮🇳 (@NagpurChaHayBey) December 28, 2022
Kya bakchodi shuru hai ye #WorldCup ki tayari ke naam pe..? Iss team se to semis tak bhi nahi jaate apne launde...!@ICC #CricketWorldCup2023 #WorldCup #India2023 https://t.co/zji4m9TLzp