Rohit Sharma OBLIGES to Gautam Gambhir’s Request to Return as Captain For ODIs vs Sri Lanka; Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah…

While Rohit is set to return, it is unlikely that Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah would make themselves available.

Mumbai: Gautam Gambhir, India’s newly appointed head coach of the side, had requested seniors like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to return to the ODI fold for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. As per a report on Hindustan Times, Rohit has obliged to Gambhir’s request and will join the ODI set up as the captain. But while Rohit is set to return, it is unlikely that Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah would make themselves available for the three-match ODI series.

The selectors are set to meet Gambhir on Thursday before the squad announcement happens. India play three T20Is in Sri Lanka, starting July 27 before the ODIs begin on August 2.

Meanwhile, Gambhir is facing many obstacles from BCCI in finalising his supporting staff. Unlike the previous head coaches, Gambhir has faced resistance from the BCCI for the majority of his picks. Gambhir’s latest recommendation of Morne Morkal as the bowling coach also faced rejection.

Gambhir was eager to include former South African speedster Morne Morkel, who served as Pakistan’s bowling coach during last year’s ODI World Cup and is currently with IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants, in his coaching staff. However, The Economic Times reports that the BCCI has turned down Gambhir’s proposal.

This was Gambhir’s third choice for the bowling coach position that the BCCI has rejected. His earlier picks, R Vinay Kumar and Laximipathy Balaji, were also not approved in the initial discussions between the board and the new head coach of Team India.

The bowling coach isn’t the only position where Gambhir’s recommendations were declined. Two of his choices for fielding coach—Ryan ten Doeschate and Jonty Rhodes—were also turned down by the board.