Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead the Indian cricket staff within the three-match T20I sequence towards Sri Lanka, beginning on January 3 in Mumbai, the BCCI introduced in a press release late on Tuesday evening. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul should not a part of the T20I squad. Rohit will return to guide Team India within the ODI sequence towards the identical opponents, beginning on January 10. While Suryakumar Yadav would be the vice-captain of the facet within the T20I sequence, Hardik shall be Rohit’s deputy within the ODIs.

While Rohit continues to be recovering from a thumb damage, the BCCI press launch didn’t state something on whether or not Pandya’s appointment was a everlasting change or simply for one sequence.

The most notable absentee from each the squads was Rishabh Pant, who was a part of India’s latest Test sequence win towards Bangladesh. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been included in each the ODI and T20I squads. Rahul, who will not be a part of the T20I squad, has been named a wicketkeeper within the ODIs. Another large omission is Shikhar Dhawan from the ODI staff.

Hardik’s elevation as T20I skipper whereas being Rohit’s deputy within the ODIs may be seen a touch of transition that the facet is prone to undergo within the coming months.

Pandya, who led Gujarat Titans to IPL triumph throughout the 2022, version was touted as Rohit’s substitute after India misplaced to England within the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. The T20I staff has a contemporary look with two uncapped pacers Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar being inducted into the shortest format.

Mavi was picked by Titans for Rs 6 crore, whereas Bengal’s Mukesh was snapped by Delhi Capitals for Rs 5.50 crore. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi, two powerhouse IPL performers, made it to the T20I facet.

The ODI facet boasts a extra skilled look with Mohammed Shami getting back from shoulder damage.

India’s squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.

India’s squad for Sri Lanka ODIs:Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.

With PTI inputs