The ODI series against Sri Lanka will mark the beginning of India’s preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
New Delhi: Following a triumphant beginning to his role as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, Gautam Gambhir led the team to a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Sri Lanka earlier this week. With this victory behind him, Gambhir now turns his attention to the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting on August 2 in Colombo. This series is crucial as it marks the beginning of India’s preparations for the Champions Trophy next year and stands as the only ODI series for the team in 2024.
Before the opening clash at the R.Premadasa Stadium, the Indian players were having a net session in colombo where both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, were both present. The duo is poised to play their first game since their victorious T20 World Cup campaign in June in Barbados. This match will also mark their first appearance in the format since the heart-wrenching defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final last November.
On Thursday, BCCI posted a video on India’s net session where both Kohli and Rohit were seen hitting huge sixes, While Kohli hit it against Kuldeep Yadav towards the region of long-on, Rohit smashed it against down the ground. But it was Gambhir’s reaction that was worth watching, for both the shots.
Gambhir’s request was perfectly reasonable, considering India’s sole ODI fixture in 2024. The team’s next ODI series is set for February 2025 at home against England, just a week before they head to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Therefore, it was crucial for Gambhir to have all his top choices available to get a comprehensive understanding of the ODI line-up.
Jasprit Bumrah, the only guaranteed member of the Champions Trophy squad, will sit out the series against Sri Lanka. The fast bowler has been rested due to India’s demanding schedule of ten Test matches this year, including five at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand, and five in Australia.
