Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was replaced by Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for Team India's upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. The decision came as a surprise for fans as many expected Pandya to take on the leadership role. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited fitness concerns as the reason for choosing Yadav over Pandya. This series will also mark Gambhir's first stint as the head coach, with the support of his Knight Riders staff Nayar and Ten Doeschate.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav took the spotlight in the third and final T20 match against Sri Lanka, notching up an unlikely victory in a nail-biting Super Over. Led by Suryakumar's all-around performance and spinners Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar, India clinched a 3-0 series sweep. The team's success comes after a strong start under the new leadership of Gautam Gambhir and a new-age T20 team following retirements of veteran stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.
In an unexpected move, former Kolkata Knight Riders captain and mentor Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, replacing Rahul Dravid. The team's focus now shifts to the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka, where 33-year-old Suryakumar Yadav will lead as captain. With key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retiring from T20I, Gambhir and Yadav have their work cut out to rebuild the team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Gambhir's man-management skills and Suryakumar's captaincy style will be put to the test as they lead the team into unknown territory.
The Indian white-ball tour of Sri Lanka may have been overshadowed by the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, but it holds significant importance for the Indian team. With a new coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir and rumoured changes in leadership, this T20 series presents an opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav and others to step into key roles. India will begin its journey towards defending its T20 World Cup title in 2026, and this series could provide valuable insights and developments in that direction.