Blow for KL Rahul as Shubman Gill in contention to lead India in ODIs against Sri Lanka

Team India will be returning to action later this month when they visit Sri Lanka for the limited-overs series. The Men in Blue are scheduled to play three T20Is and as many ODIs on the tour.

While the series will be India's second assignment since becoming the T20 world champions last month, most of the big names will be returning to action for the first time after the triumph in the T20 World Cup. Earlier this month, a second-string Indian team played a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with Shubman Gill as the captain of the team.

For the Sri Lanka series, most of the players who played in the T20 World Cup are set to return to action after enjoying a much-deserved break. The tour will also mark the beginning of a new journey for Team India in T20Is as they will have a new permanent captain. Rohit Sharma retired from the format after the T20 World Cup win and the BCCI is set to announce his replacement soon.

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As per reports, star allrounder Hardik Pandya, who was also the vice-captain of the team in the T20 World Cup, is set to replace Rohit as the new T20I captain. Pandya had also led the T20I side last year when Rohit did not play in the format in order to focus on the ODI World Cup.

"Hardik Pandya was India's T20 vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T201 series and will lead the side," a senior BCCI source was quoted by PTI as saying.

Shubman Gill in contention:

Shubman Gill is also in contention for leadership roles during the tour. As per the report, Gill or Suryakumar Yadav could be named as the vice-captain of the T20I side. Gill recently led India to a 4-1 series win over Zimbabwe.

He had also finished the series as the highest run-scorer. On the other hand, Suryakumar, who is the highest-ranked Indian T20I batsman, led the T20I side last year when Pandya was sidelined with an injury.

The report further stated that Gill is in contention to lead the ODI side as well. Captain Rohit will be rested for the series and the selectors will have to name a replacement for the ODI side as well. Pandya has reportedly asked to be rested for the ODI series and will not be given the responsibility to lead the team in the 50-over format.

While recent reports stated that KL Rahul is the favorite to lead the ODI side, PTI has reported that Gill is also in contention for the captaincy role.