IND vs SL: WATCH - T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav spotted with teammates as India leave for Sri Lanka

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IND vs SL: India T20I left for their tour of Sri Lanka from the Mumbai airport shortly after Gautam Gambhir's first press conference as head coach on Monday, July 22.

Newly-appointed T20I captain of India Suryakumar Yadav was spotted with his teammates at the airport. In a video posted by ANI on their X handle, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube were also seen entering the airport to board their flight for the island nation.

The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27. Gautam Gambhir's tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team will start with the match. The three T20Is will be followed by an ODI series of three matches.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was present wth Gambhir in his press conference on Monday morning. Agarkar took the onus on him to explain why Suryakumar Yadav was named India's new T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya. He said the fitness of Hardik was a concern.

"Suryakumar Yadav was made the captain because he is one of the most deserving candidates. We have been getting the feedbacks from the dressing room. He has got great cricket brain, he is one of the best T20 batters in the world, and the one who is likely to play all the games," Agarkar said.

“Hardik is a very important player. He has the skillsets, which are very difficult to find. Fitness has been a challenge. That was the thought behind it. We wanted the one who is available all the time. Surya has got the necessary quality that you need to succeed as a captain," he added.