Gautam Gambhir has officially begun his tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team with an inaugural meeting that took place indoors rather than outdoors. The new head coach held a productive online session with the national selection committee, facilitated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting, which lasted over an hour, included members of Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, with Gambhir participating from his home in New Delhi.
Although this was primarily an introductory meeting, it set the stage for robust discussions about the future of Indian cricket and the composition of the squad for the forthcoming white-ball series in Sri Lanka. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Gambhir shared his vision and provided valuable input on the type of players he envisions for the team. The overarching theme was a strong commitment from all players.
Rohit Sharma’s Possible Participation in SL ODIs
One of the key discussions revolved around player availability for the upcoming series. While Gambhir has previously emphasized the importance of players being available for all three formats, he did not insist on this point during the meeting. There are indications that Rohit Sharma may make himself available for the three ODIs in August. Given the limited number of one-day matches before the Champions Trophy in February-March, Rohit’s participation could be crucial.
Currently, on holiday in the US, Rohit was not available for immediate confirmation. However, he is expected to inform the BCCI of his availability soon, before the next scheduled meeting on Wednesday. If Rohit decides to play, he will undoubtedly lead the side. However, players like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, who have been granted rest for the Sri Lanka series, are unlikely to feature in the squad.
Potential Squad Changes and Captaincy Deliberations
Shreyas Iyer, who was effective in the middle order during the World Cup last year, is expected to make a return along with KL Rahul. If Rohit opts out of the ODIs, Rahul is a potential candidate for the ODI captaincy. It has been widely reported that Hardik Pandya may skip the ODI leg of the matches in Sri Lanka, focusing on maintaining his fitness.
Meanwhile, deliberations are ongoing regarding the captaincy for the three T20Is in Sri Lanka. Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during the Twenty20 World Cup and was a standout performer in the championship in the US and West Indies, is a strong contender. However, due to Pandya’s history of fitness issues, there is a consideration for Suryakumar Yadav to be given the captaincy. A final decision has yet to be made.
The Indian cricket team is set to play three Twenty20 Internationals and as many ODIs in Sri Lanka from July 27 to August 7. With Gautam Gambhir at the helm as the new head coach, the team is gearing up for a crucial series that will set the tone for future competitions. The recent meeting with the selection committee marks the beginning of what promises to be a new era in Indian cricket, with a focus on commitment and strategic planning for success.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
