Pandya to lead India in T20Is!

Hardik Pandya will lead the Indian cricket team in the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on January 3 in Mumbai, announced by BCCI.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul are not part of the T20I squad. On January 10, Rohit will lead Team India in the ODI series against the same opponents. Hardik will be Rohit's deputy in the ODI series, while Suryakumar Yadav will be the vice-captain in the T20I series.

Despite Rohit's thumb injury, the BCCI press release did not specify whether Pandya's appointment was permanent or only temporary.

Rishabh Pant, who was part of India's recent Test series win against Bangladesh, was absent from both squads. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads. The T20I squad includes Sanju Samson. Rahul, who is not part of the T20I squad, will be the wicketkeeper in ODIs.

For two weeks, Pant will undergo knee-strengthening rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), according to PTI. Hence, he will miss the entire Sri Lanka series. BCCI's statement should specify whether he was rested or dropped.

Shikhar Dhawan is another big omission from the ODI team. One series before the Bangladesh tour, he led the side in New Zealand. Despite this, he has been unable to string together a series of consistent scores.