Indian Selectors Caught In A Fix, Gill and SKY Frontrunners To Be Hardik's Deputy: Reports

Hardik Pandya is set to lead India in the three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, starting July 27. However, Hardik is expected to take a break during the three-match ODI series scheduled against the same side in August due to personal reasons.

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Hardik Pandya set to captain India in T20Is but who will be his deputy?

"Hardik Pandya was India's T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the side," a senior BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn't have any fitness issues as is being floated in the media," the official stated.

The T20Is against Sri Lanka will take place from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele, followed by the ODIs from August 2 to 7 in Colombo. The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

Following his heroic contributions to India's T20 World Cup victory last month, Hardik took a break from competitive cricket. He did not travel to Zimbabwe for the white-ball series. Hardik returned home to Vadodara on Monday, where he received a grand welcome from fans. 

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are frontrunners to be Hardik's deputy in the shortest format. KL Rahul, on the other hand, is being considered for the post of captain in the ODIs. It will be interesting to see how the leadership dynamic will change with Gautam Gambhir all set to take over as a new head coach. 

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BCCI wants all Test contenders to play domestic cricket

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has made it clear that even star cricketers must make themselves available for domestic engagements when they are free from national duty. But exceptions will be made for the likes of Rohit, Virat Kohli and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

The BCCI would, however, want all the other Test specialists to play at least one if not a couple of Duleep Trophy games in August as a precursor to the Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

"This time there is no zonal selection committee for Duleep Trophy. Only national selection committee will pick Duleep teams.

"All Test team contenders will be picked. For Rohit, Virat and Bumrah, it will be their choice if they want to play or not," the source added.

(With PTI inputs)