(PTI Photo)
The inaugural T20I of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday (July 27) will herald the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership. Following the conclusion of Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach on July 9, Gambhir, a former Indian opening batsman, assumed the role. Dravid, who guided the team to victory in the T20 World Cup in June, had been at the helm since November 2021.
Gambhir, the fifth ODI World Cup winner to steer Team India as head coach, emerged as the top candidate for the position after his influential role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ triumph in the 2024 Indian Premier League. He had joined the franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan as a mentor prior to IPL 2024 and left a lasting impression with his contributions.
Before Gambhir’s debut match as head coach, Sandeep Patil, former Indian cricketer and chief selector, extended his best wishes to Gambhir for his new role with the Indian team.
“Gambhir had done an exceptional job as KKR’s mentor in the IPL, and I hope he continues to do the same with the Indian team as well,” Patil told CricketNext.com on the sidelines of an event organised by the Shrachi Rajasthan Tigers.
As per the member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, despite Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20Is, he anticipates their continued presence in the Indian team across the other two formats of the game for the foreseeable future.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still doing extremely well, and there is no question of an Indian team without them. I wish the Indian team all the best wherever they are playing and whatever tournament they are playing; they are bound to do exceedingly well,” he said.
Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav was named captain for India’s T20I series against Sri Lanka. Patil believes Surya’s appointment as captain is well-deserved, given his outstanding performances for India in the shortest format.
“Surya has been given the captaincy of India’s T20I team because he deserved it. I wish him all the best,” he said.
Despite competition from star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, who debuted in T20Is in March 2021, was chosen as India’s captain. The 33-year-old from Mumbai began his captaincy stint last year during a five-match T20I series against Australia at home in November-December, winning five out of seven T20Is played under his leadership so far.
