Rohit Sharma has made his way to Colombo from the United States as the Indian team gears up for the highly-anticipated three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. After their arrival, the Indian skipper and other players, selected specifically for the ODI series, checked into the ITC Ratnadipa hotel in Colombo on Sunday night. Among the notable attendees were cricket stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, and rising young star Harshit Rana.
According to sources within the team, the ODI squad has scheduled a net practice session at the stadium on Monday. Abhishek Nayar, an assistant coach working under the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has been deputed to supervise this crucial session. Following the second T20I held on Sunday night, Nayar departed for Colombo early on Monday to join the team and ensure a seamless training session.
The rest of the squad members, currently involved in the T20I series, are set to join Rohit Sharma and the ODI camp following the conclusion of the third and final T20I in Pallekele, slated for July 30. India has already secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead in the T20Is, making the final game a formality but giving the team some much-needed momentum heading into the ODIs.
The ODI series itself is set to begin on August 2 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, where all three matches will be held. The second match will take place on August 4, and the series will wrap up with the final game on August 7.
In another significant development, former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel is expected to join the Indian coaching staff under Gautam Gambhir as a bowling coach. His tenure is anticipated to begin with India’s home series against Bangladesh, scheduled for September.
. Gambhir had previously mentioned that the team management would be utilizing the six-match series in Sri Lanka to evaluate its coaching setup, with longer-term plans to solidify the coaching staff for future series.
However, it remains uncertain whether Sairaj Bahutule, who specializes in spin bowling, will continue in his capacity as an interim bowling coach once Morkel comes aboard. Given Morkel’s expertise lies in fast bowling, the team might necessitate a dedicated spin bowling coach to round out the coaching staff. If Bahutule retains his position, the Indian team would then include a robust coaching lineup: Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches, Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, T Dilip as the fielding coach, and a spin bowling coach, all managed under the head coach Gambhir. This comprehensive coaching setup would elevate the total number to six, which some might argue is overstaffed.
The final ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series is comprised of a balanced mix of experienced and young players: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, and Harshit Rana.
As these players prepare for the ODI series following their T20 victories, eyes will be on how they adapt to the 50-over format and continue their winning streak. Key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be expected to lead from the front, while up-and-comers like Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh have an opportunity to solidify their places in the team.
Besides the players, the focus will also be on Abhishek Nayar and the coaching staff, as they gear up to ensure the team is adequately prepared. The addition of Morne Morkel in the upcoming home series against Bangladesh will likely bring a new dimension to the team’s bowling capabilities. Until then, Sairaj Bahutule’s potential continuation as the spin coach remains a vital concern, given the crucial role spin bowling plays in sub-continental conditions.
In summary, as the Indian ODI squad touches down in Colombo, they are well-poised not just to take on Sri Lanka but also to make significant strides in their preparation and team structure, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series ahead.