New head coach Gautam Gambhir wants Rohit, Kohli and Bumrah to play ODI series vs Sri Lanka - Reports

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach will begin with India’s tour of Sri Lanka.

In a significant development, newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir wants senior cricketers Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah to play in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, according to reports.

A few days ago, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced Gambhir’s appointment as new head coach of the Indian cricket team after tenure of Rahul Dravid and his support staff came to an end after India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Gambhir was not part of the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe as BCCI named NCA chief VVS Laxman as stand-in head coach of the Indian cricket team.

Gautam Gambhir urges Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah to be part of the ODI series against Sri Lanka

After lifting the T20 World Cup trophy, senior Indian players Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from T20I cricket. Following their decision, it was speculated that the duo would be given rest for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 2. Apart from them, senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah was also being considered to be rested to manage his workload.

However, according to a latest report in the Indian Express, the new head coach Gambhir wants senior players to be part of the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. Considering India have only a few number of ODI games before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and more than a month’s break following Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir wants the senior players to be part of the Sri Lanka ODIs.

BCCI announced revised schedule for the India vs Sri Lanka white-ball series

On July 13, the BCCI announced the revised schedule for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka.  Originally the white-ball series between the two nations was scheduled to be played from July 26 to August 7.

According to the revised schedule, the upcoming exciting series will now begin on July 27. Initially, the first T20I was to be played on July 26, followed by the second on July 27 and the third on July 29.

However, revised schedule now states that the first T20I will be played on July 27, followed by the next two matches on July 28 and July 30.

Similarly, the ODI series was scheduled to start on August 1. According to the revised schedule, the first ODI will now be played on August 2. The second and third ODIs will be played on August 4 and August 7.

India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024: Full schedule

Three-match T20I series:

July 27: First T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 28: Second T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 30: Third T20I, 7:00 PM IST

Three-match ODI series:

August 2: First ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 4: Second ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 7: Third ODI, 2:30 PM IST

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.