In a surprising development for Hardik Pandya's fans, the star all-rounder isn't a certainty for the Indian cricket team's ODI squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, according to a report by Indian Express. The report states that Pandya, who has a history of frequent injuries, will need to prove himself in the domestic circuit. The management wants to see him bowl 10 overs consistently before making a final decision on his inclusion.
The Indian team management might be giving preference to Washington Sundar and Axar Patel as primary picks for all-rounders in the Champions Trophy 2025. According to the Express report, the management is also considering 21-year-old Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling all-rounder Nitish Reddy.
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Suryakumar Yadav pips Hardik Pandya as India's captain for IND vs SL T20Is
It was expected that Hardik Pandya, who served as India's vice-captain in the T20 World Cup 2024, would lead the team in IND vs SL ODIs. However, the selectors chose to place their trust in Suryakumar Yadav as captain instead. Furthermore, Pandya was not even selected as the vice-captain; instead, Shubman Gill earned the role of deputy to Suryakumar.
Hardik Pandya's captaincy career has been quite impressive. Under his leadership, India won 10 out of 16 matches, faced defeat in 5, and had one inconclusive match.
India's tour to Sri Lanka will be new coach Gautam Gambhir's first assignment with the national team. The tour will begin with a three-match T20I series, scheduled from July 27 to July 30. Following this, Rohit Sharma-led India will face the hosts in a three-match ODI series from August 2nd to 7th. This will be the first time since 2021 that India will travel to Sri Lanka for a bilateral series.
India's T20I Squad for IND vs SL T20Is: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ꮪhubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.