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Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the revised schedule for the upcoming India's home series against Sri Lanka and soon the squads for T20I and Test matches is expected to be announced. A source in the know of things told Sports Tak that selection committee and Board secretary will soon meet and decide the teams for upcoming series along with the announcement of Test captain.
As of now Board has not issued notice for the meeting yet but in a day or two notice will be issued by secretary and most likely they will meet next week. Some of the selectors at Ranji Trophy they will be giving important feedback from there before deciding Test squad. Some changes (3-4) are likely to happen in the Test team as some new faces could be seen.
When asked weather both the teams will be announced same day, the source said, "As of now it's on the same day but you never know if selectors want to wait for Test squad, it's up to them.
After the resignation of Virat Kohli, apart from Rohit Sharma, other options for Test captaincy like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant also got wind of the name. But, after the failure of KL Rahul in South Africa, Rohit Sharma could be the first choice of selectors and coaches.
As per the changed schedule, Sri Lanka will first play the T20I series comprising three matches followed by a two-match Test series, which will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship, 2021-23. Lucknow's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium will host the first T20I on February 24 while the remaining 2 T20Is will be played in Dharmsala on February 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, the first Test will now be held in Mohali from March 4 to March 8 while the second Test will be played from March 12 to 16 in Bengaluru.
Initially, Sri Lanka were set to begin their tour of India with the 2-Test series in Mohali on February 25 and then travel to Mohali for the 2nd Test from March 5. However, with Sri Lanka playing T20Is in Australia, the visitors will be able to do a bubble-to-bubble transfer of their T20i team members. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had reportedly requested the BCCI to change the schedule and precede the Tests with T20Is.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is expected to feature in his 100th Test in Mohali. The former captain was set to complete the landmark during India's tour of South Africa in January but he missed a Test in the 3-match series due to a back injury.
This will be the first India vs Sri Lanka limited-overs series since July of 2021. India had toured Sri Lanka last year to play three T20Is and T20Is. In Rahul Dravid's first assignment as India's head coach, Team India wrapped up the ODI series 2-1, while the home team sealed the T20Is against a Covid-hit depleted India.
India vs Sri Lanka revised schedule:
1st T20I: 24th February, Lucknow
2nd T20I: 26th February, Dharamsala
3rd T20I: 27th February, Dharamsala
1st Test: March 4-8, Mohali
2nd Test (D/N): March 12-16, Bengaluru
