Suryakumar replaces Hardik as T20I captain

Suryakumar Yadav was named captain of the Indian T20 team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, while ODI skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made themselves available for the 50-over rubber against the same team next month. Shubman Gill named vice-captain, new faces in ODI squad, Bumrah rested, T20 and ODI series against Sri Lanka announced.

Suryakumar Yadav has been anointed as Rohit Sharma’s heir apparent in T20Is while Rohit and Virat Kohli have made themselves available for the ODI leg of India’s forthcoming limited overs series in Sri Lanka. The transition — with Hardik Pandya being overlooked from the leadership group from the shortest format — is significant considering the tour will be Gautam Gambhir’s first official assignment as India men’s head coach.

The national selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, met online on Tuesday evening to finalise the squad ahead of the T20I squad’s departure on July 22. While the hour-long meeting is understood to have been a cordial affair, the last three days were eventful.

Lanky pacer Harshit Rana and middle-order bat Riyan Parag — who debuted in T20Is in Zimbabwe — have earned maiden call-ups in ODIs while Shreyas Iyer will feature in India’s blues for the first time since being stripped off the BCCI contract.

“The BCCI will continue to monitor player availability and participation in the upcoming domestic cricket season” noted the BCCI statement.

The Hindu understands that Gambhir and Agarkar reached out to Rohit and Kohli — who were supposed to take a break from the Sri Lanka ODIs — and convinced the duo to join the squad in Sri Lanka. With India set to play only six ODIs, including the three in Sri Lanka in August, before the next year’s Champions Trophy, the veterans’ presence will be crucial to plan for the next stern test.

A lot of drama, however, unfolded during a conference call with Hardik on Monday. Considering Hardik’s fitness concerns, form on the wane and his “unimpressive strategising” during the 16 T20Is he led India in between the last two T20 World Cups, the selectors and Gambhir wanted a change.

The move came as a surprise to Hardik along with a section of BCCI officials who assumed that with the allrounder being Rohit’s deputy for the triumphant T20 World Cup, he will be elevated to the permanent T20Is captaincy.