The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, with some notable omissions. The Indian team will engage in a three-match ODI series at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo from August 2 to August 7.
Batting legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in action, crucial for their preparation for the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Notable omissions in India’s ODI squad
- Sanju Samson: Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the ODI squad is one of the most surprising. Despite his impressive performance in his last ODI, where he scored a match-winning century against South Africa in Paarl, Samson has been overlooked. His instability in the team and lack of continuous opportunities to establish himself might have contributed to this decision. Samson’s ability to play aggressive cricket and his proficiency as a wicketkeeper-batter make his omission noteworthy
- Ravindra Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja, a pivotal all-rounder for India, has been left out in favor of Washington Sundar. Jadeja has been a consistent performer, especially in the ODI format, where his contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial. His last appearance in a 50-over game was during the ODI World Cup Final 2023 in Ahmedabad. Jadeja’s exclusion might be strategic, considering the need to manage his workload and injuries. However, his absence will be felt, given his experience and versatility.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya Regular white-ball players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are notable absentees from the ODI squad. Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, and Pandya, a dynamic all-rounder, have been instrumental in India’s success. Their exclusion might be due to injury concerns or workload management. Their absence opens up opportunities for younger players but also puts additional pressure on the remaining experienced players to step up.
- Rinku Singh, Rajat Patidar and Tilak Varma These emerging talents were part of the ODI squad that toured South Africa but have not been included for the Sri Lanka series. Rinku Singh, known for his aggressive batting, Rajat Patidar, a reliable middle-order batter, and Tilak Varma, a versatile young player, have all shown promise. Their exclusion might due to the return of several seniors players in the side.
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The BCCI also announced the T20I squad for the series against Sri Lanka, set to begin, ahead of the ODI series, in late July. With the retirements of Rohit, Virat and Jadeja from T20Is, the squad sees significant changes. The Indian team will compete in a three-match T20I series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium from July 27 to July 30.
Key exclusions in India’s T20I squad
- Mukesh Kumar Mukesh Kumar, despite a commendable performance on the recent tour to Zimbabwe, where he picked up eight wickets in three games, has been omitted. Kumar’s ability to swing the ball and his consistency made him a strong contender. His exclusion is surprising, especially considering his recent form.
- Dhruv Jurel Dhruv Jurel, who has shown potential as a wicketkeeper-batter, recently debuted in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, with limited opportunities to prove himself, scoring only six runs in two games, Jurel has not made the cut. His strong performance in the Test format and potential as a future prospect make his omission noteworthy. The management might be giving preference to more experienced players in the T20I setup.
- Avesh Khan Avesh Khan, known for his ability to bowl in the death overs, has also been excluded despite taking six wickets in the Zimbabwe series. Khan’s knack for taking crucial wickets and his aggressive bowling style made him a regular in the T20I squad. The return of senior players like Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh has pushed Khan out of the squad. His exclusion suggests a preference for experienced bowlers in crucial series.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to be overlooked despite an impressive T20I record. Gaikwad, who has scored 633 runs with an average of 39.56 and a strike rate of 143.53, showcased his versatility in Zimbabwe but still misses out. His consistent performance in domestic and international cricket makes his exclusion a point of debate. The team management might be looking for different combinations, but Gaikwad’s absence is significant.
- Abhishek Sharma Abhishek Sharma had a breakthrough season in the IPL and a strong showing in Harare, scoring a swashbuckling century off 48 balls after a four-ball duck on debut. Despite his impressive comeback, Sharma has been left out. His ability to provide aggressive starts and his potential as a future star make his omission surprising. The retirements of senior players could have paved the way for Sharma, but the management’s decision to exclude him raises questions about the selection strategy.
