Hardik Pandya Appointed As Team India's Captain For T20I Series Against Sri Lanka

Hardik Pandya is set to lead India in the three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka starting July 27. However, he will take a break during the three-match ODI series scheduled for August due to "personal reasons".

The T20Is against Sri Lanka will be held from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad announcement for the series is expected soon.

While there is no clarity on Pandya's deputy, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav are considered. Gill recently led India to a 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe, while Yadav captained during the T20Is against South Africa last year.

"Hardik Pandya was India's T20 vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the side," a senior BCCI source told PTI anonymously.

Regarding the ODIs, an official confirmed that Pandya has requested leave and informed regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is also taking a break from this series.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasised that even star cricketers must be available for domestic matches when not on national duty. Exceptions will be made for players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The BCCI wants other Test specialists to play at least one or two Duleep Trophy games in August as preparation for Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

"This time there is no zonal selection committee for Duleep Trophy. Only the national selection committee will pick Duleep teams," added the source.

"All Test team contenders will be picked. For Rohit, Virat and Bumrah, it will be their choice if they want to play or not," the source added.

"The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn't have any fitness issue as is being floated in the media," said the official.

For the ODIs, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are in contention for the leadership role. Rahul led in the last ODI series in South Africa.

The upcoming series promises exciting cricket action with new leadership dynamics and strategic player availability decisions shaping India's approach.