Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja’s Absence: Sri Lanka’s Opportunity
Sanath Jayasuriya, interim coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team, has highlighted that the absence of key Indian players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja in the upcoming T20I series offers a significant opportunity for his team. These players have retired from T20Is following India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup in the Americas, their first major title in 11 years. Additionally, the Indian team’s coaching staff, including head coach Rahul Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, ended their tenures with the World Cup win.
Jayasuriya acknowledged the substantial impact of Sharma, Kohli, and Jadeja on the Indian team’s success over the years. With these stalwarts stepping aside, India will see new faces like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal stepping up. Gill, now the vice-captain for both ODIs and T20Is, is seen as a versatile player suited for all formats.
The T20I series marks a new chapter for Indian cricket under the guidance of the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. He played a crucial role in promoting Suryakumar Yadav to T20I captain over vice-captain Hardik Pandya, citing Yadav’s consistent fitness as a decisive factor. Gambhir, along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, emphasized the need for a captain whose fitness is reliable.
Jayasuriya believes that Sri Lanka can exploit the gaps left by the absence of these Indian stars. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been among the top run-scorers in T20Is, and Jadeja has been a standout all-rounder. Their contributions have been pivotal in numerous victories for India over the last decade and a half. With these players out, Jayasuriya sees a strategic advantage for Sri Lanka.
Replacing Sharma and Kohli at the top order, India will rely on the young talents of Gill and Jaiswal. Despite the departure of these seasoned players, Indian cricket is known for its depth of talent. The three veterans will return for the ODI series following the T20Is, ensuring their experience will not be entirely absent from the tour.
Sri Lanka also faces changes, with Charith Asalanka stepping in as the new captain after Wanindu Hasaranga led the team in the World Cup. Jayasuriya took over as interim coach following Chris Silverwood’s resignation after Sri Lanka’s early exit from the T20 World Cup. The squad includes Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando, who were not part of the World Cup team, and newcomer Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who impressed in the Lanka Premier League.
However, Sri Lanka will miss fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, who has been ruled out due to injury. His replacement will be announced soon. As the series approaches, Sri Lanka’s chief selector Upul Tharanga is confident in the new squad’s ability to perform against a reshuffled Indian team.
The upcoming matches are highly anticipated, as they will not only test India’s bench strength but also provide Sri Lanka with a chance to capitalize on their opponent’s transitional phase. This series is set to be an intriguing contest, with both teams aiming to make the most of the opportunities presented by the changes in their line-ups.