India’s new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav will make their debuts as a leadership duo against a hapless Sri Lankan side in limited overs matches starting with the first game of three match T20I series on Saturday at Pallekele.
Gambhir takes over from Rahul Dravid who is conventionally seen as a more popular choice among fans; he won two World Cups for India. This may not be easy, given that under the guidance of Dravid, the team reached the final in each of the ICC events – World Test Championship (WTC), ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup – in their recent editions. Known for his tenacity and intense approach to everything he does, there is definitely going to be a difference in his coaching methods which would also require some adaptation from players who will have to adapt under the new leadership of Suryakumar as well as being coached by Gautam Gambhir.
Suryakumar’s selection as skipper came as a slight surprise since he was preferred over Hardik Pandya despite having relatively low experience at captaining. The BCCI selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar made it known they wanted someone who would be available consistently for them and when looking to reset the leadership setting of its T20I squad they also considered “dressing room feedback”.
The Indian selectors have enough time to rebuild before the next T20 World Cup that will take place in 2026 co-hosted between India and Sri Lanka.
After recently winning the world cup along with retirements from experienced players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from playing Twenty-Twenty cricket, this group is now experiencing transition phase. Shubman Gill can therefore cement his place in this team during this period because young talents are needed.
Others like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag will also look to cement their places in the side.
Axar Patel is a perfect like-for-like replacement for Jadeja although India have a wealth of all-round options including Pandya, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar.
Jasprit Bumrah has been given a well-deserved rest on this tour paving way for Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj to take advantage of favorable conditions at Pallekele International Stadium.
Sri Lanka’s bowling line-up without Dushmantha Chameera (bronchitis and respiratory infection) and Nuwan Thushara (broken finger) is not as strong. The team has called up Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka; the latter was previously responsible for taking five wickets against India in their last ODI World Cup clash.
The country that won T20 World Cup 2014 is going through tough times having failed to reach the round two in the recent edition. After this set back captain Wanindu Hasaranga, coach Chris Silverwood alongside consultant couch Mahela Jayawardene resigned from their respective positions.
Sanath Jayasuriya, former SL skipper will be temporarily coaching Sri Lanka. This can be an opportunity for his team because experienced players were missing out from Indian squad. However, Jayasuriya knows very well that his team needs consistent performance if it is going to turn things around.
Promising batsman Charith Asalanka has been entrusted with leading the team as Sri Lanka embarks on uncharted territory trying to improve its cricket just like India did.
Sri Lanka has an edge in playing at home, and they may therefore look forward to turning things around for the better by banking on the quality of their talented players among them being the aggressive ex-captain Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera; Kusal Mendis and experienced Dinesh Chandimal.
