There were many surprises as India announced the squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. The biggest gap is that of Rishabh Pant from both teams. While some media houses reported that Pant is out with an injury, BCCI has given no official reason for missing the ODIs and T20Is.
Also, Rohit Sharma will only lead India in the ODIs, while Hardik Pandya has been named captain of the T20I series. Once again, BCCI has not given any official confirmation as to whether this will be a long term agreement or just for the Sri Lankan series. Rohit is also not part of the T20I side along with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Although BCCI has said nothing officially, it is understood that these star cricketers will not return to the T20I squad as India seeks to build a modern unit with a view to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav, who has made an unprecedented leap at international level, is the vice-captain for T20Is against Sri Lanka and Pandya is the vice-captain for ODIs. Sanju Samson has only been included in the T20I squad.
Another major omission is that of Shikhar Dhawan of the ODIs.
The T20I squad has many fresh faces, with Mukesh Kumar and Shivam Mavi being called up.
Here’s how Twitter has reacted to so many changes and surprises:
This puts Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson ahead of Rishabh Pant in the T20 pecking order. It was on the cards. Ishan, Ruturaj, Samson and Sky are fabulous top 4. Expect Rajat Patidar to vie with Hooda and Tripathi for the last batting spot
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 27, 2022
No reason known, but when it doesn’t give him or her a break from working on something in particular, it’s really shocking to have Rishabh Pant kicked out of the ODI team.
Average 44, SR 101 since 2021.#INDvSL https://t.co/eM34QpDBP3
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 27, 2022
The selectors dropped Rishabh Pant instead of picking Sanju Samson to calm his fans. ðŸ˜
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) December 27, 2022
Good call to omit Shreyas from T20Is as well. India has 6 players who can beat in the top 3 in Gill, Ruturaj, Gaikwad, Tripathi, Hooda and SKY. Think Gill was lucky enough to make the T20 squad. He must first increase his PP scoring rate in IPL before playing for India.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) December 27, 2022
Squad announcements from other countries, in both men’s and women’s cricket, are full of clarity. Quotes, team change explanations, injury scenes, everything is covered. In India it is exactly the opposite. Sigh! https://t.co/GoU4QdF7Gq
— Niharika Raina (@niharika_raina) December 27, 2022
Ravi Bishnoi should have at least been in the T20I squad. This guy has performed well for India whenever he got the chance.
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) December 27, 2022
Does the BCCI selection committee select players when they are drunk? Don’t you think Sanju Samson should have replaced KL Rahul at ODIs?
Ravindra Jadeja should have been picked if he is fit. Don’t destroy the national team, take out the flops, the world cup is coming. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/7DtfZaQjmc
– Deepa 🇮🇳 (@Deepa_Gurukkal) December 27, 2022
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, and Arshdeep Singh.
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