Big Setback For Team India! Star Player Pulls Out In Gautam Gambhir's Debut Series as India Coach

Team India is all set to commence their tour to Sri Lanka for a white-ball series. The Men in Blue will be playing three T20I and ODI matches, and the series is significant since it will be the beginning of a new era. After the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the coach, he will begin his tenure with the Sri Lanka series as his first assignment. But before the Men in Blue could jet off to Sri Lanka for the series, the side was dealt with a significant blow after India's ace all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, pulled out of one of the white-ball series in SL.

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All-rounder Hardik Pandya to not feature in Sri Lanka's ODI set of games | Reports

One of Team India's premier all-rounders, Hardik Pandya, has pulled out from the first half of the Sri Lanka tour. As per reports from the Indian Express, the star all-rounder will not remain available for the ODI set of games after he cited personal reasons to pull out of the series. However, Pandya will be there for the T20Is, which will take place before the One-Day Internationals.

Hardik Pandya is expected to lead the Men in Blue in the T20I series, but his unavailability for the 50-over format is puzzling. In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul could lead the side in the One-Day format, but Pandya could have been crucial in the second part of the away series. 

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Hardik Pandya was an absolute trailblazer in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 as Team India was able to break their ICC title drought. The Men in Blue went on to win the title after defeating South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Pandya was vital throughout the tournament with the bat and the ball as he pulled off a sensational comeback for the national side. After all the jeers throughout the IPL 2024 season, the all-rounder was able to secure a strong comeback and was welcomed with open arms as Team India returned to the country with the silverware.