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Shikhar-Dhawan
Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes that Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar are strong contenders to lead team India against Sri Lanka. Both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shikhar Dhawan have not been included from the 24-member squad picked for the World Test Championship final and the five-match Test series against England. Shikhar Dhawan's omission was anticipated but, Kumar's exclusion from the team has raised a few eyebrows. Deep Dasgupta believes injury and fitness concerns have cost Bhuvneshwar Kumar a spot on the Test side. However, the pacer made a strong comeback in the limited-overs home series against Eoin Morgan-led England earlier this year.
India white-ball specialists are set to face Sri Lanka in 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is in July
The Men in Blue are anticipated to field a squad dominated by white-ball specialists. It is known that captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma will not be part of the tour. The duo is going to be engaged in a marquee five-match Test series in England. The BCCI last week announced a 20-member India squad for the forthcoming World Test Championship final. The final between India and New Zealand is going to start on June 18. After WTC, India will play the 5-Test series against England from August. The Indian cricket team have more than a month's gap between the two assignments, but the team is not likely to return from England due to travel restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Talking about the Sri Lanka tour, the Indian cricket team will reach the Island nation on July 5. India and Sri Lanka will play three ODIs on July 13, 16, and 19. It will then be followed by T20Is on July 22, 24, and 27. All the games are going to take place in Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has clearly stated that the Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour would have none of the players selected for the England Tests.
He further added that it would be a completely different team comprising of white-ball specialists. The Indian cricket board has already begun the preparations keeping in mind the white-ball regulars for the forthcoming series in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Test regulars are prepared to leave for England in the first week of June. On the other end, the BCCI is yet to announce the team for the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka.