India's Cricket Leadership Meets for Review After Disappointing Series
Cricket Officials Gather for Review Meeting
On Thursday, Shreyas Iyer, the captain of India's T20I team, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, VVS Laxman, who heads the Centre of Excellence, and several senior officials from the BCCI, convened at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai for a crucial review meeting.
Review Meeting Triggered by Recent Losses
Reports indicate that this meeting was prompted by India's recent defeats in Ireland and England. Initially planned earlier, it was postponed due to the team's two-Test tour in Sri Lanka. Key figures such as BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and president Mithun Manhas are also expected to participate, alongside Shubman Gill, who captained the ODI and Test teams.
India's Recent Performance
The defending T20 World Cup champions faced a disappointing 2-0 defeat in a two-match T20I series against Ireland in June. Their struggles continued in England, where they suffered a 4-0 loss in a five-match T20I series, including a significant 125-run defeat in Nottingham, marking their largest loss of the series. Additionally, India lost the ODI series 2-1 under Shubman Gill's captaincy.
Upcoming T20I Series Against Afghanistan
Looking ahead, India is preparing for a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Shreyas Iyer returning as captain and Tilak Varma appointed as vice-captain. Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to rejoin the squad, pending fitness clearance, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Harshit Rana.
Jasprit Bumrah's Comeback
Bumrah's last appearance in international cricket was on July 16 against England at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. He was later ruled out of the final ODI at Lord's due to an impact injury sustained while fielding. He also missed the Test series against Sri Lanka, which India lost 1-0.
Series Schedule and Venue
The T20I series is set to commence on September 13, with the second match on September 15 and the final match on September 17. All games will take place at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi.
India's Squad for the Series
The squad for the upcoming series includes: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson [WK], Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar*, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah*, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana*.