Reports: Hardik Pandya informs BCCI to remain unavailable for ODI leg of Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons

Star cricketer Hardik Pandya has been on a high since his recent success with the Indian team at the T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik was the vice-captain of the team during the championship, and now that Rohit Sharma has retired, he is likely to be the full-time captain for the Men in Blue in the shortest format of the game. He alongside other senior players were given a rest for the recently concluded Zimbabwe series, and the next assignment for the cricketer will be the away tour to Sri Lanka later in July.

While Hardik is expected to be announced the captain for the three-match T20I leg of the tour, he has reportedly told the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee to seek a break from the One-Dayers, quoting personal reasons for the voluntary exclusion.

According to News18 CricketNext, Pandya is the frontrunner for captaincy contention for the T20Is alongside Suryakumar Yadav, but the former's case is the strongest at the moment. In that case, Yadav may be named Hardik's deputy.

Also Read: IND vs SL 2024: Revised schedule for multi-format series out, T20Is in Pallekele, ODIs in Colombo

The report further suggests a long run for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, and could be the designated glovesman for the series, as Rishabh Pant is set to be rested to prepare himself for the upcoming home Tests against Bangladesh in September.

India's likely squad for 3 T20Is versus Sri Lanka

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya (C), Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana

Coming back to Pandya, the star all-rounder recently appeared in a roadshow in his hometown Baroda, following his homecoming to the city.

Check Here: Watch: Hardik Pandya receives hero's welcome in Vadodara after T20 World Cup heroics

His elder brother Krunal also took part in the rally.