India’s squad for Sri Lanka tour announced: Shikhar Dhawan to lead, Chetan Sakarya, Nitish Rana make entry

Shikhar Dhawan will take the helm and senior seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be his deputy in the upcoming limited-over series against Sri Lanka, which will take place in the month of July. 

Rajasthan Royals bowler Chetan Sakariya, K Gowtham, Nitish Rana, and Devdutt Padikkal have also been named in the squad that was announced on Thursday night by the BCCI.

“The All-India Senior Selection Committee picked the Indian squad for the 3-match ODI series and the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka scheduled in the month of July. All matches will be played at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo,” an official statement from the cricket board read. 

The team will play three ODIs, starting from July 13. After the conclusion of the 50-over format it will be followed by T20Is, which starts from July 21. 

Meanwhile, the BCCI didn’t name any coach for the series but considering the media reports, former India cricketer Rahul Dravid is all set to take the role. 

The series also comes as a great opportunity for both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, who would take the opportunity to redeem themselves in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja. 

Jadeja is currently with the 20-man Indian contingent in England and will be pefroming his national duties in red-ball cricket.  

India’s squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Rana, Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (Wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, K Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Vice-captain), Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya

Net Bowlers: Ishan Porel, Sandeep Warrier, Arshdeep Singh, Sai Kishore, Simarjeet Singh