Published: Jul 24, 2024, 02:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 24, 2024, 02:56 PM (IST)
Sanath Jayasuriya, current Sri Lanka coach, said that India will feel the absence of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja in the T20I series against them. Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja decided to put their hands up from the format after helping India win the T20 World Cup title.
The three match T20I series against Sri Lanka will start a new phase in Indian cricket as new head coach Gautam Gambhir will take charge. The former India opener was mindful of his decisions and, instead of vice-captain Hardik Pandya, he selected Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain. Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar later said that they wanted a captain whose fitness was not an issue and so they went with Surya over Hardik.
Before the first match of the series, which will be held in Pallekele, Jayasuriya said Sri Lanka would aim to exploit these gaps in the playing XI due to Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja’s absence.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the best players in the world. Looking at their talent and the kind of cricket they have played we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja,” Jayasuriya said. “Their absence will be a loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that.”
Rohit and Kohli were the top two run-makers in T20Is, while Jadeja was one of the top all-rounder in the format. These three have starred in many memorable T20I wins for India in around last 15 years.
