Senior batter Rohit Sharma is set to cut his vacation short and return early to lead India in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, Indian media reported on Thursday.
India will tour Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI and T20I series. The upcoming white-ball tour will mark Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment after being appointed as India’s head coach, preceding Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after guiding the team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 glory.
Earlier, reports emerged that senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah would skip the ODI series against Sri Lanka to stretch their break from cricket after leading India to the T20 World Cup 2024 glory.
KL Rahul was expected to lead the side in the absence of senior players, however, recent reports suggest that Sharma will be back as captain for the ODI series.
This decision comes after Gambhir reportedly insisted on having senior players in the series, considering the fact that India will play only six ODIs before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel
According to the itinerary announced by the SLC, India will touch down in Sri Lanka on July 22 while the T20I series is scheduled to commence on July 26 with the second and third T20Is set to be played on July 27 and 29 respectively.
All three T20Is will take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele before the action shifts to Colombo, where the ODI series will take place.
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka will kick off on August 1 while the remaining fixtures will be played on August 4 and 7. All three ODIs will be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.
Schedule for India’s white-ball tour to Sri Lanka
1st T20I- July 26 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
2nd T20I – July 27 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
3rd T20I – July 29 – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
1st ODI – August 1 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
2nd ODI – August 4 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
3rd ODI – August 7 – R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo
WATCH: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman struggle against Naseem Shah’s brother