Hardik Pandya pulls out of Sri Lanka ODI series amidst T20 captaincy rumours: Reports - Cricket Winner

As per the recent reports, India’s star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya has informed BCCI about not playing the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. However, he will most likely be available to lead Team India in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting on 27 July. Moreover, it has been understood that in his absence KL Rahul will take over his role for the ODI series.

Meanwhile, the reason for his absence is yet to be revealed. However, Hardik Pandya has seen highs and lows in his career in the past six months. He was appointed captain of Mumbai Indians ahead of the season and failed to leave a mark as well. He faced humiliation for that from fans and people booed him as well.

But, he has some other plans and he did exceptionally well in the T20 World Cup. His all-round contribution helped India win the T20 World Cup as well.

While we await an official statement, there have been reports that Suryakumar Yadav could lead the team in T20Is after Rohit Sharma retired from the T20 format after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup 2024.

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Hardik Pandya to lead the team in the T20 series

On the other hand, according to News18 Cricketnext, Yadav’s name was not discussed and Pandya is all set to captain India in T20Is in Sri Lanka. Pandya is also ‘fully fit’ but he will miss the ODIs due to personal reasons.

However, Hardik Pandya had led India in the majority of their T20 series after both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli decided to step away from the T20I format following Team India’s semi-final exit in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Surya had also stepped in as captain for the five-match T20I series against Australia after the ODI World Cup at home and the T20I series against South Africa, with Pandya out of action due to an ankle injury.

“Pandya is going to lead India in T20Is. Pandya was Rohit’s deputy in the World Cup and prior to that, when Rohit was on a break from international T20Is, he was leading the side. The selectors haven’t had any discussions on that and it was more of a no-brainer. No discussions have happened as far as Suryakumar Yadav is concerned and he is certainly not in the mix for captaincy in any format at this stage,” a BCCI source told.

The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka starts with a three-match T20I series on 27 July, followed by as many ODIs starting on 2nd August as well.