KL Rahul Set To Be Dropped From India’s T20I Set-Up, Hardik Pandya To Lead T20I Team Against Sri Lanka -Report
Hardik Pandya is likely to lead the T20I side against Sri Lanka.
After a break of a week, Team India will begin its home season in 2023 and will host Sri Lanka in 3 T20Is and as many ODIs, starting January 3 onwards.
Since the BCCI hasn’t announced the new selection committee yet, the Chetan Sharma-led committee is likely to announce the squads for the Sri Lanka series.
“The old committee will probably select the Sri Lanka white ball squad,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
And according to a report, team India opener KL Rahul is likely to be dropped from the T20I set-up. Meanwhile, regular captain Rohit Sharma is yet to recover from his injury and might miss out on the series as well.
“As of now, it doesn’t look like Rohit Sharma’s finger will heal enough before the T20Is and in that case, Hardik will lead the side. As far as KL Rahul is concerned, his T20I days seem to be numbered.”
The Karnataka batter endured a dreadful year in T20Is in terms of strike rate (126.53) and second-worst in terms of average (28.93) after 2021.
The 30-year-old failed to make an impact in the T20 World Cup 2022 as well, having returned with scores of 4, 9, 9, 50, 51, and 5 in the six outings.
Hardik Pandya to Lead India in Sri Lanka Series
Hardik Pandya, who led India in the T20I series in New Zealand is all set to take over the charge in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma.
Notably, the Baroda-born is the top contender to become India’s T2oI captain and could very well lead the team in the 2024 T20 World Cup as well.
The report further added that senior players like Virat Kohli might also be provided a break from the T20I series. The Sri Lanka series will kick off with a three-match T20I contest on January 3 and will be followed by three ODIs, starting January 10.
