Rohit Sharma, captain of the Indian cricket team, has made his way to Colombo, Sri Lanka, arriving from the United States ahead of the highly anticipated three-match One Day International (ODI) series. The Indian skipper is not alone in this journey. Joining him are the players selected specifically for the ODIs against Sri Lanka. These cricketers checked into the ITC Ratnadipa hotel in the heart of Sri Lanka’s capital on Sunday night. Among the squad are prominent names such as Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana.
Sources within the team stationed in Sri Lanka have disclosed that the ODI players are slated to engage in a net session at the stadium come Monday. To manage these crucial practice sessions, the Indian team management has appointed Abhishek Nayar, one of the assistant coaches working under head coach Gautam Gambhir, to oversee the activities in Colombo. Nayar embarked on his journey to Colombo on Monday morning, following the conclusion of the second T20 International on Sunday night.
As the cricketers gear up for their training sessions, it is worth noting that the rest of the squad will join the captain and the ODI-specialists after the third and final T20 International, which is set to take place in Pallekele on July 30. The tourists have demonstrated commendable prowess, having already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series.
Commencing on August 2, the ODI series will also take place in Colombo, with all three matches scheduled at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. The series is expected to wrap up on August 7, following the second ODI on August 4.
In a strategic move to bolster their coaching staff, the team management is anticipating the arrival of Morne Morkel, who is expected to join as a bowling coach.
. Morkel, a former South African pacer, is likely to start his engagement with the Indian team during the home series against Bangladesh, commencing in September.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir recently shared insights into the team’s plans, mentioning that the management would be meticulously evaluating the coaching lineup throughout the six-match series in Sri Lanka. These assessments will guide the establishment of a comprehensive coaching staff for future series. There remains an element of uncertainty regarding Sairaj Bahutule’s future with the team. Bahutule, who specializes in spin bowling and is currently touring Sri Lanka as an interim bowling coach, might not stay on if Morkel, a fast bowling expert with no known specialization in spin bowling, takes over.
Should Bahutule retain his position, the coaching staff would encompass two assistant coaches (Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate), a bowling coach (Morne Morkel), a fielding coach (T Dilip), and a spin bowling coach, alongside the head coach Gautam Gambhir. This ensemble would bring the total count to six coaches, which could be perceived as overly extensive.
The ODI squad comprises a blend of seasoned and up-and-coming players, setting the stage for an exciting series. The lineup includes: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (Wicket-Keeper), Rishabh Pant (Wicket-Keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, and Harshit Rana.
As the Indian contingent embarks on their journey in Colombo, the cricketing world waits with bated breath for what promises to be a thrilling series. With a robust lineup of players and a strategic coaching staff, the squad is poised to deliver gripping performances against their Sri Lankan counterparts. The spotlight will undoubtedly be on key figures such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, expected to lead from the front, driving India’s aspirations in this much-anticipated ODI showdown.