The Indian cricket team, now under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, departed from Mumbai to Sri Lanka on Monday. The tour includes three T20Is on July 27, 28, and 30, followed by a three-match ODI series starting on August 1. The T20I matches will take place at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI series will be held at the R Premadasa Stadium.
In a video posted by ANI, key players such as Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, and Shubman Gill were seen at the Mumbai Airport, along with Gambhir and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
During a press conference before departure, Gambhir addressed the media, acknowledging the significant challenge ahead. “I have big shoes to fill into a role previously held by cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. The most important thing is that they will always have my back. Aim to make it a happy and secure dressing room. I am taking over a very successful team. Runner-ups in WTC and 50-overs WC. I have big shoes to fill and looking forward to it,” Gambhir stated.
Gambhir will be supported by Abhishek Nayar, a former Indian cricketer known for his successful first-class career and coaching roles, and Dutch international Ryan Ten Doeschate. “I have worked closely with Abhishek and Ryan in the last two months at IPL with KKR. Both are absolute professionals and hopefully they will have a successful stint with the Indian team as coaches,” Gambhir added.
Nayar, who played three ODIs for India and had a distinguished career in domestic cricket, has been influential in mentoring players like Dinesh Karthik and Varun Chakravarthy. Ten Doeschate, currently with the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket as an assistant coach, will join the Indian team in Colombo.
The Sri Lanka tour marks a new chapter for the Indian cricket team under Gambhir’s leadership, with high hopes for continued success in both T20I and ODI formats.
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