India will tour Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series comprising 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is which will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and this will happen in the month of July. While the ODIs will be part of the ICC ODI World Cup Super League 2023, the T20Is are a part of preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 later this year. Cricket fans and bettors must be disappointed that IPL2021 has paused in the middle, but they have Cricket happening around the globe. Bettors can visit betalternatives to get the latest information and alternative betting sites to bet on cricketing games from around the globe.
Since the Sri Lankan limited-overs series will happen in July, many of the regulars will be in England at the same time for the team’s 5-match Test series against England that starts from August 4th and last till 14th of September.
So, this India’s squad for Sri Lanka will be sans regular captaincy candidates such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or KL Rahul for that matter. Another player who is being touted as a future captain Shreyas Iyer is currently injured and may not be fit in time for the tour.
The BCCI already have announced that legendary Indian batsman Rahul Dravid will likely coach the Indian team for this tour. And they are expected to name a 2nd string Indian team along with a new captain anytime now. We will look at the 3 possible candidates who can possibly lead the side in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli and Vice-Captain Rohit Sharma.
Shikhar Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the senior players in the Indian team who doesn’t play Test cricket these days and is a sure shot pick in the limited-overs format for India. The 35-year-old has represented India in ODIs since 2010 and is yet to don the captaincy hat even once.
But the southpaw is one of the most consistent openers India has ever had. He has played 142 ODIs scoring 5977 runs at an average of 45.3 and could very well be the 4th fastest to cross 6000-run landmark in ODI history. Adding to that, Dhawan has scored 1673 in T20Is as well.
This baton of captaincy could be a nice way to appreciate Dhawan for his contribution to Indian cricket in all the 3 formats of the game. Moreover, he will likely be the most capped player in the Indian squad, so it is a no-brainer to give him the role that he has already with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is another player who missed the bus to England where most would have thought he will head to. Perhaps due to his injury concerns, the selectors might have thought otherwise. That leaves him to be an automatic pick in the Indian squad for this Sri Lankan tour and has an outside chance of being named the skipper as well.
The right-arm swing bowler made a brilliant comeback to the Indian team in the home series against England in both the ODIs as well as T20Is. He was even named the ICC player of the month for March and will be in good space going into this tour where he will spearhead the attack.
Bhuvi as he is called has led the SRH franchise in the IPL in the absence of Kane Williamson in 2018, although with limited success. But his cool calm head might come in handy if he does don the hat for India.
Hardik Pandya
The mercurial all-rounder Hardik Pandya is our 3rd pick to be the captain of the Indian team as he is one of the more experienced players in the possible squad. But one thing can go against him is his lack of exposure as skipper of a team.
This series could be an important one for the all-rounder as his returns were poor in both the England limited-over leg as well the IPL 2021. So, this is a chance for him to redeem himself before the ICC World T20 and captaincy might turn things around for him.
