Suryakumar Yadav Likely to Take Over T20I Captaincy from Hardik Pandya in India’s Tour of Sri Lanka

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is on the brink of naming the squad for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, featuring a series of three T20Is and three ODIs. The series serves as a vital phase for the Indian team as they transition from their recent T20 World Cup win to the preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy next year.

Heading into the series, the focus is on potential leadership changes, with Suryakumar Yadav emerging as the surprising frontrunner to take over the T20I captaincy from Hardik Pandya, as per reports from PTI. This decision is being viewed as a strategic move by the management, considering the long-term aspirations leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Ajit Agarkar‘s selection committee is expected to factor in Hardik Pandya’s injury concerns while deliberating on the captaincy choices for the white-ball series. With a jam-packed schedule ahead, including 10 Test matches in the calendar year, the selectors are weighing the need to manage player workloads effectively.

The absence of seasoned players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Bumrah in the ODI series could prompt KL Rahul to lead the side, having showcased leadership skills during the South Africa ODI series last year. Gambhir’s familiarity with Rahul from their time at Lucknow Super Giants could further bolster Rahul’s candidacy as a stand-in skipper.

Shubman Gill, fresh off a successful T20I series in Zimbabwe, could find himself at the top of the order alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the absence of Rohit Sharma. The inclusion of youngsters like Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the dynamic duo of Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi is anticipated in the squad for a rejuvenated look.