Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the Sri Lanka T20Is raised eyebrows, as many expected Hardik Pandya to take over the role. However, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Hardik's injury concerns and workload management prompted the board to look beyond him.Agarkar also highlighted Suryakumar's leadership abilities and positive feedback from players as factors in his appointment. Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha believes the selectors considered Suryakumar's maturity and experience, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.Ojha also pointed out the connection between Suryakumar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He believes their understanding and trust played a role in Suryakumar's selection.While Hardik's fitness issues were a concern, Ojha praised Suryakumar's street-smartness and ability to handle pressure. He believes Suryakumar is the best choice for the captaincy role, given his experience and leadership qualities.The decision to appoint Suryakumar as captain has sparked discussions about the future of Hardik Pandya in the T20I setup. However, the BCCI has made it clear that Hardik remains an integral part of the team and will continue to play a key role in the future.

India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has shed light on the rationale behind the recent leadership appointments in the Indian cricket team. Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the full-time T20I captain, while Shubman Gill has been handed the vice-captaincy in the limited-overs formats.Agarkar emphasized that the decision to appoint Yadav as captain was based on his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. He highlighted Yadav's consistent performance as one of the world's top T20 batters and his ability to lead the team effectively.Regarding the decision to not appoint Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, Agarkar explained that the team management wants to manage his workload better. Pandya's fitness has been a concern in recent years, and the selectors believe that giving him additional leadership responsibilities could exacerbate this issue.Agarkar also discussed the grooming of Shubman Gill as a potential future captain. Gill has shown promising leadership qualities and is seen as a three-format player with the potential to succeed in all formats of the game.The selection panel also addressed the absence of Sanju Samson from the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Agarkar explained that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were preferred as wicketkeepers due to their recent performances and experience.Agarkar clarified that Ravindra Jadeja was not dropped from the ODI set-up but was rested to give opportunities to Axar Patel. He also mentioned that some Test players are likely to participate in the first Duleep Trophy game to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Star Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav is gearing up for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which commences on July 27. In preparation for the series, Yadav has been diligently practicing and shared a glimpse of his training regimen on Instagram. The 33-year-old posted a video of himself running on the field, showcasing his dedication to the sport.Yadav has been appointed as the captain of India's T20I team for the Sri Lanka tour, with Shubman Gill serving as the vice-captain for both the T20I and ODI sides. This decision marks a shift in leadership, as Hardik Pandya, who previously led the T20I team, has been removed from the role.Pandya's removal comes despite his impressive performance in the recent T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs and took 11 wickets. However, Yadav has also proven his leadership capabilities, having led India to five victories in seven matches during his previous stints as captain.India's tour of Sri Lanka will feature a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series. The T20I leg will be played at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI matches will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium.Both teams will be led by new head coaches. Sanath Jayasuriya has been named as the interim head coach for Sri Lanka, while Gautam Gambhir will take over as India's head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid.India's last bilateral white-ball series in Sri Lanka was in July 2021, where they won the ODI series 2-1 and lost the T20I series by the same margin. The upcoming tour will provide both teams with an opportunity to test their skills and prepare for future challenges.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's newly appointed T20I captain, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support and affection he has received from fans and well-wishers. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Yadav acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with the captaincy but also expressed his excitement and enthusiasm for the role."Thank you so much for the outpouring of love, support, and best wishes from you all," Yadav wrote. "The last few weeks have been nothing short of a dream, and I am truly grateful. Playing for the country is the most special feeling that I will never be able to describe in words."Yadav's appointment as T20I captain follows Rohit Sharma's decision to step down from the role after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup last month. The 33-year-old Yadav has been selected to lead a 15-member Indian T20 team for a three-match series in Sri Lanka, starting on July 27 in Pallekele.According to reports, Yadav's aggressive batting style in the middle order and his reliability in the T20 format made him the primary choice for new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Yadav, who previously captained Mumbai in domestic cricket, led India to a 4-1 T20 series win over Australia last year and followed it up with a 1-1 result in South Africa.Yadav's appointment has been met with widespread praise from the cricketing fraternity. Former India captain Virat Kohli hailed Yadav as a "fearless and aggressive" player who will bring a "fresh perspective" to the team. Head coach Gambhir expressed confidence in Yadav's leadership abilities, saying that he is "a natural leader who leads by example."As India prepares for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, Yadav will be keen to make a strong start to his captaincy tenure. The series will provide him with an opportunity to establish his authority and set the tone for the team's future. With his proven ability and the support of his teammates and fans, Yadav is well-positioned to lead India to success in the shortest format of the game.

Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, succeeding Rohit Sharma who retired from the format after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Yadav's first assignment will be the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on June 27, 28, and 30, which will also mark the debut of India's new coach, Gautam Gambhir.The decision to appoint Yadav as captain was made by the selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar, who considered several factors, including fitness concerns and workload management. Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit Sharma's deputy at the T20 World Cup and has captained India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, was initially considered for the role. However, his recent ankle injury and limited playing time in T20Is since 2022 may have influenced the decision.Yadav, on the other hand, has captained the Mumbai state team in domestic cricket and has led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia and a 1-1 draw against South Africa in recent T20I series. His experience and leadership qualities were key factors in his appointment as captain.The appointment of Yadav as captain is seen as the first step towards building for the next T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. The team will look to Yadav to provide stability and guidance as they prepare for the tournament.

With Team India embarking on a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month, the debate over the team's new T20I captain has intensified. Former selector Saba Karim has weighed in on the discussion, suggesting Hardik Pandya as the natural replacement for Rohit Sharma, who retired from the format after the T20 World Cup triumph.Karim believes Pandya's experience as vice-captain during India's World Cup victory and his previous stints as captain make him the ideal candidate. "The first thing that needs to be decided is who will captain in T20Is. Rohit Sharma has retired, he won't play T20Is. So you will have a new captain. I feel there are two contenders. If we see logically, Hardik Pandya should become the captain because he was the vice-captain in the winning World Cup campaign. He also captained India in the past. I feel the preparation now should be for the next T20 World Cup which is going to happen after two years," Karim told Sony Sports.Karim also threw a surprise recommendation into the mix, suggesting Suryakumar Yadav as a potential captain. Yadav led India in a home T20I series against Australia last year, where India emerged victorious. "I feel the discussion should be about SKY because Suryakumar Yadav captained India in the home series against Australia. India defeated Australia there and he also batted well. So he can definitely come forward as an option. If the selectors feel Hardik Pandya has played a fantastic role and can do the same as a captain as well, he can definitely be the ideal candidate. So I feel these are the two contenders," he added.Meanwhile, Shubman Gill recently led a young Indian team in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, which India won 4-1. Gill's performance as captain has also sparked discussions about his potential to lead the team in the future.As the BCCI prepares to announce the squad and captain(s) for the Sri Lanka tour, the debate over India's next T20I captain is likely to continue. Pandya, Yadav, and Gill are all strong contenders, and the selectors will have a tough decision to make.

Following India's triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. As a result, all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to take over the captaincy of the Men in Blue in T20Is. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul is expected to lead the team in ODIs, according to sources.Pandya's appointment as T20I captain is a testament to his impressive performance at the World Cup. He amassed 144 runs in six innings, averaging 48.00 and striking at 151.57, including a half-century. With the ball, he claimed 11 wickets in eight games, averaging 17.36 and boasting an economy rate of 7.64.Pandya's resurgence is particularly noteworthy given the criticism he faced during the IPL 2024 season as captain of the Mumbai Indians. However, he has silenced his detractors with his exceptional performances at the World Cup.On the other hand, KL Rahul's omission from the T20 World Cup squad despite his strong showing in the ODI World Cup 2023 has raised eyebrows. However, he is now set to lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Rahul has a proven track record in ODIs, having scored 386 runs in nine innings at an average of 77.20 and a strike rate of 98.72.In a separate development, Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir, a former left-handed opener for India, has served as the team mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Under his guidance, KKR won their third IPL trophy in 2024.Gambhir's appointment is seen as a positive step by the BCCI, which believes he has the experience and vision to lead Indian cricket forward. He takes over from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended after the T20 World Cup.

Shubman Gill, India's newly appointed T20I captain, has outlined his plans for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. Gill confirmed that he will open the batting with Punjab teammate Abhishek Sharma, while Ruturaj Gaikwad will bat at number three.This series marks the beginning of a new era for India in the shortest format, as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gill acknowledged the pressure of filling the void left by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but emphasized that each player has their own goals and aspirations.Gill stressed the importance of performing well as a team, regardless of the pressure associated with a new cycle. He expressed excitement about the opportunity for young players to make their debuts and gain international experience.The Indian team will face challenging conditions in Harare, but Gill is confident that they are prepared. He praised Zimbabwe's T20 team, noting their competitive performance in the recent ODI series.Gill believes that his experience as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL will help him navigate the challenges of leading India in an international series. He emphasized the mental aspects of captaincy, such as instilling confidence in players to execute their skills on the field.

Rohit Sharma Retires from T20Is After Leading India to World Cup GloryIndian cricket legend Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket after guiding the Men in Blue to a historic victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 37-year-old skipper, who has been at the helm of India's T20I team since 2021, bows out as the format's all-time leading run-scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches.Sharma's retirement marks the end of an illustrious T20I career that has seen him shatter numerous records. He holds the distinction of being the only player to score five centuries in T20Is, a testament to his exceptional batting prowess. Under his leadership, India has emerged as a formidable force in the shortest format of the game, winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 edition.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sharma expressed his overwhelming emotions following India's triumph. "This picture epitomizes how I'm feeling right now. So many words but can't find the right ones to express what yesterday meant to me," he wrote. "But I will, and I will share them, but right now I'm basking in a dream come true for a billion of us."Sharma's retirement has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, teammates, and fellow cricketers. Former India captain Virat Kohli hailed Sharma as "a true legend of the game" and praised his leadership qualities. "He has been an inspiration to many young players and has played a pivotal role in India's success in T20 cricket," Kohli said.As Sharma steps away from the international T20I arena, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. His exceptional batting skills, astute captaincy, and unwavering determination have made him one of the most respected and admired cricketers of his era.