Revealed: Why Suryakumar Yadav was not picked in India ODI squad vs Sri Lanka despite being named T20I captain?

The BCCI on Thursday, July 18 named the Indian squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. The series consists of both T20Is and ODIs. Suryakumar Yadav was named the T20I skipper while Rohit Sharma will continue as the ODI skipper.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both part of the ODI side while Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this series. SKY was chosen over Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain of the side.

Things looked promising for Hardik to become the next T20I skipper after Rohit's retirement. He was the vice-captain of India's T20 World Cup winning squad and also has led India previously in T20Is. SKY too has led India but his experience is nowhere close to Pandya.

Meanwhile, the decision behind Suryakumar Yadav being named the next T20I skipper has been revealed. There are reports that Gautam Gambhir had a major role to play in his appointment. The reason behind his ODI axe has also been made very clear.

Surykumar Yadav Set To Lead India In T20IS Against Sri Lanka, Axed From ODI Squad

"Although Gambhir did not directly pitch for Surya in the call, he made it amply clear that he would want to work with a captain whose workload does not become a stumbling block. Agarkar was clear with his views" a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.

SKY's numbers in ODIs are nowhere close to what they are in T20Is for India. Suryakumar has struggled in ODIs, and it was perfectly visible during the 50-over World Cup last year. Suryakumar has played in 37 ODIs, averaging only 25.76, and has struggled against pace in ODIs.

There are just six ODIS for India before the Champions Trophy 2025 and SKY being snubbed from the ODI squad is an indication that the management is willing to look beyond him in the format.

Like SKY Hardik Pandya too has been snubbed from the ODI side despite him being seen as a crucial pace bowling all-rounder over the years. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are being seen as potential spin bowling all-rounders keeping next year's Champions Trophy in mind.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has been chosen as the vice-captain of the T20I side despite the presence of Hardik Pandya in the XI. This is a clear indication that the new management under Gambhir is trying to infuse young blood into the Indian T20I side. With Ravindra Jadeja's retirement, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are part of the T20I and ODI squads.

Rohit Sharma will continue as the skipper with Shubman Gill being named the new ODI vice-captain. He recently led India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe and won the series 4-1. Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja who were part of India's T20I squad have been dropped from ODIs with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer earning a recall.

Shivam Dube has also been recalled into the ODI side which is seen as a surprise move by the BCCI. He was nowhere close to being considered for election in ODI cricket before Gambhir's appointment.

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