A three-match Twenty20 International series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 27, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
The interim Sri Lankan coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, is hoping his side will capitalise on an Indian team that will be without several key players due to the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Following their contribution to the Men in Blue’s victory in the T20 World Cup last month, the three icons of Indian cricket announced their retirement. Subsequently, Rohit was replaced as India’s T20I captain by Suryakumar Yadav. Following Sri Lanka’s World Cup first-round exit, Chris Silverwood resigned, and Jayasuriya was named the team’s acting head coach.
“The two greatest players in the world are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Given their skill and the style of cricket they have played, Jadeja and I can all agree on where they belong. The Hindustan Times cited Jayasuriya as saying, “Their absence will be a loss to the Indian team, and we have to take maximum advantage out of that.”
Gautam Gambhir is the new coach in charge of India as well. Unlike Jayasuriya, though, the former Indian cricket player has assumed full-time responsibility for the post. Although Gambhir has coached teams in the past, including the Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants, this will be his first experience leading an international squad.
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Another captain change occurred in Sri Lanka, where Wanindu Hasaranga, who captained the team in the T20 World Cup 2024, was replaced by Charith Asalanka. Asalanka would like to begin his term as captain of the Indian cricket team on a high note after leading the Jaffna Kings to their fourth Lanka Premier League (LPL) championship in five seasons last week.
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