As India gears up for a five-match T20I series against Australia starting on November 23. Vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav is poised to lead the team in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who is yet to recover from an ankle injury sustained during the World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) senior national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will soon convene to finalize the squad, and considering the proximity of the series to the World Cup, a second-string team is expected to be chosen.
Suryakumar Yadav, the top-ranked T20 batsman globally, previously served as the vice-captain during India’s tour of the West Indies. With Pandya’s availability uncertain, Yadav’s leadership skills are likely to be called upon for the upcoming series. The 33-year-old, known for his dynamic playing style, has previously captained the Mumbai team and the India Under-23 side in the Emerging Cup.
Despite limited opportunities in the World Cup, players like Ishan Kishan and Prasidh Krishna are expected to feature prominently in the home series against Australia. Both players, who had minimal game time during the World Cup, will have a chance to showcase their skills in the T20I series against the Australians.
Following the conclusion of the World Cup, Rahul Dravid’s coaching contract is set to end, prompting the BCCI to appoint VVS Laxman as a stop-gap coach. The support staff from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will oversee the team during this interim period. The upcoming series against Australia offers an opportunity for emerging talents to make their mark and contribute to India’s T20I campaign under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.
