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Indian cricket’s landscape is famously mercurial, especially in periods of transition. As the baton passes from Rahul Dravid’s stewardship to Gautam Gambhir’s era, the cricketing fraternity is abuzz with speculation. Adding to the intrigue, Rohit Sharma, the stalwart of India’s Test and one-day squads, has made himself available for the imminent three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka.
Gautam Gambhir, the architect of this transitional phase, has extended an invitation to senior figures like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, currently on a hiatus, to rejoin the ODI squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. With only six ODIs slated before the prestigious Champions Trophy next year, Gambhir and Rohit Sharma are poised to strategize and lay the groundwork for this marquee event.
The selectors are scheduled to confer with Gambhir this Thursday to finalize the squad announcement. The Men in Blue will kick off their tour with three T20Is at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 27 and 30. Subsequently, the action will shift to the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the ODI series scheduled from August 2 to 7.
Gautam Gambhir Wants Stability In The Leadership Group – Report
Initially, there were plans for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah to sit out the Sri Lanka tour for workload considerations. However, a recent report from the Hindustan Times reveals a twist: Rohit Sharma will be making a notable return to lead the ODI squad, following a personal request from Gautam Gambhir. Meanwhile, indications suggest that Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are unlikely to feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series.
“Gambhir and the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, want stability in the leadership group. Besides, Rohit has already got a month-long break after the T20 World Cup and will get sufficient time to relax after the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka as India’s next assignment, a home Test series against Bangladesh, begins on September 19,” a report by Hindustan Times said.
Most members of last year’s ODI World Cup squad are likely to make a comeback, with the exception of Ishan Kishan, who is expected to be substituted by Rishabh Pant. Despite not holding a national contract anymore, Shreyas Iyer is anticipated to secure a spot in the squad. Iyer captained KKR to victory in the 2024 IPL, guided by Gambhir’s mentorship.
I Don’t Look That Far Ahead – Rohit Sharma
Following India’s World Cup triumph, Rohit Sharma engaged in celebratory events and ceremonies in both New Delhi and Mumbai. The 37-year-old cricketer then took a break in London, where he attended a Wimbledon match. Later, he traveled to the USA for another engagement, reiterating his commitment to continue playing ODIs and Tests, with no plans of retirement in sight.
“I just said it. I don’t look that far ahead. So clearly, you will be seeing me play at least for a while,” the 37-year-old said at an event in Dallas.
After India clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup final, both Rohit and Virat announced their retirement from T20Is. Rohit, finishing as the top run-scorer in T20I history, amassed 4231 runs across 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 half-centuries. Meanwhile, Bumrah stands out as one of the select few players who continue to represent India across all three formats.
