Ajit Agarkar doubts Hardik Pandya’s captaincy ability, this is why he was stripped of the captaincy
According to a Hindustan Times report, BCCI chief selector, Ajit Agarkar was unsure about Pandya’s ability as a captain as he noted flaws in his captaincy with GT and MI in the IPL. Notably, the all-rounder was also named as India’s vice-captain for the World Cup 2023 and had to leave the tournament midway after getting injured in a match against Bangladesh. Gautam Gambhir is not sure about Hardik Pandya’s bowling in ODI format However, he has captained India in 16 T20Is and three ODIs when permanent skipper Rohit Sharma was not available. The 30-year-old sought a break from the upcoming white-ball tour after a tough T20 World Cup campaign but the management turned down the request. He has been included in the T20I squad and earlier, head coach, Gautam Gambhir reportedly expected the cricketer to prove his bowling fitness to stay in the ODI format. Gambhir had expressed uncertainty about Pandya’s fitness to bowl 10 overs in ODIs and asked the right-arm pacer to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mumbai Indians’ new captain Hardik Pandya has not played any ODIs since the World Cup 2023 and has also not been included in the 50-over squad for the Sri Lanka tour. India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka, with the first T20I starting on July 27. To everyone’s surprise, BCCI has dropped Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma from any format for the Sri Lanka tour and Riyan Parag is part of both squads.
Ravindra Jadeja is out of ODI, BCCI is looking for a replacement, he may soon retire from this format too
After winning the T20 World Cup, Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20Is. Ravindra Jadeja. (Image Source: BCCI/X) On the evening of 18 July, Team India was announced for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Ravindra Jadeja’s name is not in the team selected for the three-match ODI series, seeing which the fans were a bit surprised. Since then, there has been a constant debate about why Jadeja has not been selected in the team. He has been an important part of India’s ODI team for more than 10 years. Now some important reports are coming out about Ravindra Jadeja. The new management under the captaincy of head coach Gautam Gambhir is looking for a future replacement for the spin all-rounder keeping in mind the upcoming Champions Trophy. Jadeja is not in BCCI’s plans for ODI cricket. The Men in Blue will play only six ODIs before the Champions Trophy and the goal is to use these six matches to give match time to Akshar and Sundar. BCCI is looking for a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja One of the sources close to the developments told Hindustan Times that there is nothing wrong with Jadeja’s performance but the management wants to build a team for the future. A BCCI source told Hindustan Times, “India have only six ODIs to play before the Champions Trophy next year, including three in Sri Lanka. The selectors want to use Axar Patel and Washington Sundar in all the matches by giving them more chances.” He further said, “There is nothing wrong with Jadeja’s performance. The management wants to consider other options because we have to build a team for the future.” Axar was part of India’s squad in the ODI World Cup 2023 but was ruled out due to an injury ahead of the tournament. Since then, he has done a commendable job in the shortest format of the game and was a key player for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the T20 World Cup 2024. Axar has played 57 ODIs so far in which he has taken 60 wickets and scored 489 runs. When it comes to Washington, he is expected to get opportunities in white-ball cricket. He performed well in the recent Zimbabwe series and is expected to continue the same momentum.
“Including Riyan Parag, leaving out Abhishek and Gaikwad is a different story….”- Statement by former cricketer
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma (Image Credit- Twitter Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra shared his thoughts on the recent team selection for India’s upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Chopra spoke about some of the major decisions taken during the selection, including the inclusion of Riyan Parag in the squad despite his poor performance in the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe and the decision to give vice-captaincy to Shubman Gill in place of Hardik Pandya. Team India is scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka in Pallekele from July 27. Meanwhile, in a video posted on his YouTube channel, Chopra elaborated on the T20I squad announced for the series. He highlighted Shubman Gill’s new role and the selection of Parag over other batsmen like Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Aakash Chopra talked about the squad selected for the Sri Lanka tour In the video, Aakash Chopra said, “Shubman Gill is the vice-captain, and this is a big story. Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain of the Indian team in the World Cup. He also performed very well. India also won the World Cup, but after that his name is not there as the vice-captain.” The former Indian then further said, “Riyan Parag’s name is in both the teams, in ODIs as well as T20Is. His name is there despite the Zimbabwe tour not being that good. Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s name is not there. I am talking about T20Is. Both of their names are not there, but Riyan Parag’s is there. This in itself tells a different story.” Parag could only score 24 runs in two innings at a strike rate of 88.88 during the T20 series against Zimbabwe. In contrast, Abhishek Sharma scored 124 runs in four innings including a century at a strike rate of 174.64, while Gaikwad scored 133 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 158.33. The first T20 match of the series against Sri Lanka will be played on 27 July in Pallekele and the ODI match will be played from 2 August in Colombo.
There was a lot of debate in the selection meeting! There was a lot of drama before Surya was made the captain, players were called
Rohit and Virat have returned to the team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Jay Shah and Hardik Pandya. (Image Source: BCCI/X) BCCI recently announced the squad of Team India for the Sri Lanka tour starting from 27th July. Three ODIs and three T20 series will be played between the two teams on this tour. The selectors took a lot of time to announce this series. It is believed that there was a lot of debate between Gautam Gambhir, who recently became the head coach of Team India, and the selectors and only then the team was announced for this tour. This selection meeting of Team India lasted for several hours over two days. If reports are to be believed, there were differences of opinion as well as heated debates in the meeting. During the meeting itself, many players were called and discussions were held with them about long term planning. It is being said that, Surya being selected as the vice-captain before Hardik in captaincy and Gill being selected as the vice-captain before Rahul in ODIs is a very important step taken for the future of Indian cricket. The Indian Express report claims that this selection meeting was different from all other meetings as it was full of heated debates and disagreements. Phone calls were made to the players and the long term planning of the team management was explained to them. Players showed more trust in Suryakumar Yadav than Hardik Pandya According to the Indian Express report, there was also a view in the team selection meeting that not making the current vice-captain of the T20 team, i.e. Hardik Pandya, the captain would be unfair to him. Especially when he has performed amazingly during the World Cup. An Indian Express report claims that due to the trust of the players, the scales tilted in favor of Suryakumar Yadav. The report states that the ‘feedback’ received by the BCCI was that the players ‘trusted Yadav more than Pandya’ and were comfortable working under him. Surya’s man management is said to have impressed the selectors. When Ishan Kishan was about to leave the Indian camp midway through the South Africa tour last year, Yadav tried to convince him to stay back.
After Rohit, now Virat will also play ODI series against Sri Lanka, big report revealed
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli (Photo Source: Getty Images) A new era of Indian cricket will begin later this month as Gautam Gambhir will take over as India’s head coach for the first time since Rahul Dravid’s departure. India are all set to travel to Sri Lanka and play three T20Is followed by three ODIs. It was initially rumoured that the seniors including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would miss the ODI series. However, through some media reports it has come to light that Rohit Sharma can make himself available for the ODI series and now it seems that Kohli can also be seen playing in the ODI series. Virat Kohli can be seen playing in the ODI series According to a report in The Indian Express, Virat Kohli has made himself available to play the T20 series and has confirmed the same to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. This was after reports that Gautam Gambhir had asked the seniors to make themselves available for the series. Senior players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are going to return for the Sri Lanka tour. In such a situation, the biggest question is going to be about the new captain of the Indian T20 team. BCCI and new head coach Gambhir are looking for a captain till the next T20 World Cup 2026. According to the report, Suryakumar Yadav can captain the T20 series against Sri Lanka. Let us tell you that the Indian team will start the Sri Lanka tour on 27th July. The Indian team will play a total of 6 matches in 12 days on the Sri Lanka tour. First, a 3-match T20 series will be played between India and Sri Lanka. The first T20 match will be played on 27th, the second T20 match on 28th and the last T20 match on 30th July. All these matches will be played in Pallekele from 7 pm Indian time.
The fortunes of these two players may shine as soon as Gautam Gambhir becomes the head coach, he played his last T20I in 2019
Gautam Gambhir (Photo Source: India will have a new team for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka under head coach Gautam Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid. Dravid’s tenure as head coach ends with the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Meanwhile Gambhir’s childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj said the two-time World Cup winner can get the best out of cricketers. He is confident that India will reach new heights under Gambhir’s leadership. Welcoming Gambhir’s appointment as the new head coach of the Indian team, Gambhir’s childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj said that the former Indian opener has the ability to bring out the best in players. Bhardwaj is confident that Gambhir can take India to the top. Bhardwaj also revealed that Gambhir had predicted the rapid rise of Indian captain Rohit. Gautam Gambhir can give chance to Navdeep Saini Gautam Gambhir’s childhood coach Bhardwaj said that he feels Gambhir can consider spinner Kuldeep Yadav and fast bowler Navdeep Saini for selection in his first coaching tenure. Bhardwaj said, “He can choose players like Kuldeep Yadav and Navdeep Saini (in the Indian squad). They are his products. He also placed his bet on West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine (during IPL 2024). His observation and cricket skills have always been brilliant.” He further said, “With his batting, he won two World Cups for India in 2007 and 2011. As a player, you helped India win two World Cups and then led KKR to three IPL titles. You have a habit of accepting challenges and conquering them.” Navdeep Saini played his last international match in the year 2019. Kuldeep was part of the Indian squad in the T20 World Cup played in America and West Indies. He also played many matches. Kuldeep took 10 wickets in 5 matches in this tournament. Fast bowler Navdeep Saini last played for India in 2021 against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Rohit Sharma may play ODI series against Sri Lanka, uncertainty remains over Virat and Bumrah! Big report revealed
Rohit Sharma (Photo Source: X/Twitter) A new era is about to begin in Indian cricket as Gautam Gambhir will soon begin his first assignment as the team’s new head coach. The Men in Blue will tour Sri Lanka to take part in three T20Is followed by three ODIs is all set to do so. The ODI series will be extremely important for India as it will mark the start of their preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan in February. This is India’s last ODI series before the tournament. Meanwhile, there were reports that Rohit Sharma would be rested from this series after winning the T20 World Cup 2024. But now such reports are coming out that Rohit Sharma can be seen captaining in the ODI series. Team India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that every player will have to be available for all three formats. It has also been clearly stated in the report that the board has not put any pressure on these players to play. However, there have been some indications from Rohit Sharma that he may make himself available for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. Considering that Team India has very few ODI matches to prepare before the Champions Trophy to be held in February-March 2025. Rohit Sharma can play in the ODI series against Sri Lanka According to the Cricbuzz report, this is the reason why Rohit Sharma can be seen in these three ODIs. He is currently enjoying his holidays in the US. It is expected that he will inform the BCCI about his availability soon, possibly he will send his reply to the board before the online meeting on Wednesday. If Rohit Sharma decides to play in the ODI series, he will undoubtedly lead the team. However, players like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli have been rested for the Sri Lanka series and their chances of joining the team are low. If Rohit Sharma does not play in this series, then KL Rahul can captain the ODI series. Apart from this, Shreyas Iyer can also return to the ODI team.
BCCI rejected all the names suggested by Gautam Gambhir for the support staff
Gautam Gambhir has been made the head coach of Team India. Gautam Gambhir (Photo Source: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of Team India. After the appointment of the head coach, everyone’s eyes are now on who will be in the support staff of Team India. Now who will be the batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach of the Indian team. There is suspense about this. The biggest debate between the head coach and the management is about the bowling coach. It is believed that Abhishek Nair is almost certain to become the assistant coach and T Dilip may once again be seen playing the role of fielding coach. Gautam Gambhir has so far suggested a total of five names to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the bowling coach, but all the names have been rejected by the board. BCCI rejected all the work suggested by Gambhir Along with the T20 World Cup 2024, the tenure of Team India’s coaching staff also ended. The BCCI congratulated all of them on the completion of their tenure. Recently there were reports that former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel could be the new bowling coach of Team India, but now if media reports are to be believed, BCCI has also rejected his name. Gambhir had earlier also advocated the names of R Vinay Kumar and Lakshmipathy Balaji for the role of bowling coach, but the BCCI had refused. Apart from this, Gambhir had also suggested the names of former Netherlands cricketer Ryan Ten Doeschate and former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes for the fielding coach, but the BCCI had rejected these two names as well. In this way, till now BCCI has rejected a total of five names suggested by Gambhir. It is not yet clear who will be India’s batting coach or bowling coach or fielding coach. However, some time ago, news also came out that BCCI wants to appoint Zaheer Khan as the bowling coach.