KL Rahul to captain India in 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka - Reports

KL Rahul even captained India in ODI series against South Africa in December 2023.

Indian wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul is all set to lead his side in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at the end of July, according to reports.

On July 9, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced 2007 World T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup winning player Gautam Gambhir‘s appointment as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, replacing legendary Rahul Dravid.

Gambhir’s first assignment with the Indian side will start with the upcoming away white-ball series against Sri Lanka. India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs in the series. The schedule for the series is yet to be confirmed by the cricketing bodies of both of the nations. Tentatively, the series is going to take place between July 27 to August 7.

In absence of Rohit Sharma, Hardik and KL Rahul are the options

With India winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 recently and seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retiring from T20Is, it is to be understood that the duo of Rohit and Kohli might not travel Sri Lanka only for the ODI leg of the series. Moreover, few reports have also suggested other players like Jasprit Bumrah might also get rested for the entire tour to stay afresh for the home season.

According to a latest report in India Today, a BCCI source has told that KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya might be leading the Indian side in the upcoming white-ball series.

“It is expected that in the absence of Rohit, Hardik and KL are the options to be given the responsibility of captain. Both have captained the team earlier,” a top source in BCCI told India Today.

The source further added that KL will lead in the three-match ODI series and if Hardik is not available for the T20Is, then world No. 2 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav might take the leadership responsibility in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

“If Hardik is not available for the T20Is, you might see Suryakumar Yadav as captain in T20Is and Rahul in ODIs. But for now, it seems that Hardik and KL will lead the team,” the source added.

KL Rahul has so far captained India in 12 ODIs, out of which, they’ve won eight matches. All-rounder Hardik has led the Men in Blue in 16 T20Is, out of which, they’ve won 10 matches.

Tentative schedule for India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024:

Three-match T20I series:

July 27: First T20I

July 28: Second T20I

July 30: Third T20I

Three-match ODI series:

August 2: First ODI

August 4: Second ODI

August 7: Third ODI

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