IND vs SL: India is playing their first major international series, comprising all the active players who were a part of the World Cup-winning squad. The World Cup triumph saw three greats of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid as coach and Rohit and Virat as players, step down from the shortest format of the game.
Soon after, Dravid was replaced by Gautam Gambhir as team India’s head coach throughout all formats. Also, Gautam Gambhir now leads a team that has a massive blend of young talents led by senior experienced players, of which Suryakumar Yadav, India’s star batter in the format, was chosen over their dynamic all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the role of the Indian T20I captain.
Surya, who had previously had success with the Indian team as a skipper, first against a home series win over Australia followed by a rain-affected draw with the Proteas on their soil. With a 2-0 lead, India has already secured a series win over Sri Lanka in the T20is, and what awaits them is a whitewash.
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Gambhir’s Team Selection for Sri Lanka T20s and Controversies
India took some great delay in announcing the team for the Sri Lanka tour after their young team led by Shubman Gill recently won a 4-1 series over Zimbabwe. Newly appointed coach Gambhir, alongside Chief Selector Agarkar, went on to choose a balanced yet lacking T20I side for the tour to the Lankan islands.
The first major upset made by Gambhir was over the snub of inform batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was in the buzz for being the ideal choice to fill the bug shoes of veteran Virat Kohli. However, he did not find a place in Gambhir’s 15-man squad, and so did Abhishek Sharma, who is in red-hot form, and even smashed a stunning ton in just the 2nd international appearance for his country.
Also, not having picked the likes of Avesh Khan and Mukesh Kumar, both of whom have been India’s frontline performers in the T20is, over Mohammad Siraj seemed to be a partial pick on the end of Gambhir.
Gambhir’s tactics in the Lankan T20s and results
Gambhir, despite facing severe criticism, stuck to his ground of having made an ideal team; as he said, despite being in good form, all players cannot be picked at all times.
Gambhir placed his bet on the same known opening pair of Gill and Jaiswal that paid off well in the first game before Gill sustained an injury serious enough to be ruled out of the 2nd T20I, only to be replaced by Samson, who miserably got out for a golden duck.
A stern middle-order led by skipper SKY at no. 3 and followed by the likes of Pant, Parag, and Big hitting Pandya and Rinku Singh down the order. Axar Patel was handed a spot at No. 8, not using much of his batting standards.
The bowling deck looked great with Bishnoi and Arshdeep showing some great composure, while Siraj didn’t land too well, as still India are ahead of the hosts by a clean 2-0 margin.
This is the Indian team’s first series victory under the new coach and truly a matter of joy.
The Asia Cup to follow in the upcoming year
Though for now Gambhir’s prime focus would be on having his team settled enough in the ODIs for his first ICC tournament, the Champions Trophy, to be held in February 2025. He also showed interest in having a fixed playing XI with whom he can conquer certain areas of discomfort in both the shortest format of T20s and tests, with the likes of the Asia Cup and the WTC final approaching.
Though recently the buzz has been over if India would travel to Pakistan for the CT 2025 or likely if they do not then what will be Pakistan’s stay on the Asia Cup to be held in India late in 2025. Still, Gambhir and co. would be ready from their end.
Gambhir’s probable choices and preferences for the Asia Cup 2025
Though the Asia Cup is far from now and India has a busy schedule the upcoming year and also the watchable IPL 2025, Gambhir would still look to have his men fixed in the pre-season.
Suryakumar Yadav, who doesn’t seem much affected by a captaincy role, might be brought in as the permanent T20I skipper for India.
With the dilemma still remaining over Gill, mostly after his fitness issues, Yashasvi Jaiswal is sure to be India’s top priority opener in T20s.
With Sanju Samson getting fewer chances in T20s and KL Rahul not seeming to make a likely return to the shortest format, Rishabh Pant can take his chances with the gloves.
ALSO READ: IND vs SL 3rd T20I: With the series sealed—3 experimental changes Gambhir would look to make in the Starting XI
Though Hardik was snubbed of captaincy, yet Gambhir never stepped back from acknowledging his prowess as a player, and hence one of the world’s finest all-rounders of white-ball cricket is sure to keep his place if he is not ruled out by injuries.
Players like Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube will face some sheer threat, with the likes of Abhishek and Ruturaj awaiting a chance to replace them.
Axar and Bishnoi might keep up the latest conundrum and might lead India’s spin-bolwing attack if Kuldeep is mostly kept for ODIs and Tests. Also, the likes of Sundar and bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed await their chances for Team India as they eye the Asia Cup 2025.
Gambhir’s Likely 15-Man Squad for the Asia Cup
Gambhir’s Likely 15-Man Squad for the Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar.