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India's ODI and Test skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to inform newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir about his availability for the ODI series against Sri Lanka soon. Gambhir had urged senior players Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to play in the three-ODI series as there are not many 50-over matches ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. But Kohli and Bumrah are likely to miss the ODI series and return to action for two-Test series at home against Banglandesh.
As per a report by Cricbuzz, Rohit who is currently in the US on holiday with his family is expected to talk to Gambhir in a meeting on July 17. The squads for the ODI and T20I series along with captains in both formats are likely to be announced soon after the meeting.
Who will lead the side?
However, if Rohit decides to skip the ODI series, KL Rahul is one of the frontrunners to lead the side. Rahul has led India in 12 ODIs, winning eight of them. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav has been ahead of Hardik Pandya to don the captain’s hat in T20Is after Rohit’s retirement from the format following T20 World Cup 2024.
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Iyer returns, Pandya absent from ODIs
In the ODI series scheduled to start on August 2, Shreyas Iyer is set to return to the side as well. Meanwhile, Pandya has cited personal reasons while informing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his absence from the ODI series. However, he will be available for the T20I series, captain or not.
Gambhir thanks KKR fans
Earlier, on July 16, Gambhir attended a virtual meeting from Delhi which included Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor who helped them win the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, posted a message for the franchise’s fans.
"I smile when you smile. I cry when you cry. I win when you win. I lose, when you lose. I dream when you dream. I achieve when you achieve. I believe with you and I become with you I am you Kolkata, I'm just one of you. I know you're emotional. So am I. I know you're demanding. So am I. Kolkata, we are a bond. We are a story. We are a team," the 42-year-old said in the video.
"And now the time has come when we have to create some legacies together. The time has come when we have to write some bigger and bolder scripts. The script not with purple ink but in that blue, the treasured India blue. As we both take our fresh card we promise each other that we will never walk alone. It will always be shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. It will all be for the tri-color. It will all be about our India," he added.
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