Shreyas Iyer makes India comeback with ODI series against Sri Lanka, set to regain BCCI Central Contract

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Mumbai, Jul 18: Shreyas Iyer made his much-anticipated return to international cricket, as the Mumbai-born batsman has been selected for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka on Thursday (July 18).

This limited-overs series of Team India in the island nation marks the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka, starting July 27. Also Read: IND Squad Announcement Live Updates

As per sources, in the selection meeting in Mumbai, Gambhir - who was the mentor of IPL 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders-led by Shreyas Iyer - informed the BCCI that he wanted the Mumbaikar in the ODI squad and the announcement was a mere formality.

With Iyer's return to the national side, he will also get the BCCI central contract back that he lost earlier this year. The right-handed batter - who last played an ODI game on the tour of South Africa last year - missed out on the central contract after he was out of action due to a back injury.

The 30-year-old made his comeback in the IPL 2024 and helped KKR lift the coveted title after a gap of 10 years. In the last ODI that he played, Iyer scored 52 against South Africa on December 17 in Johannesburg.

Suryakumar Yadav new T20I captain, Rohit Sharma to lead in ODIs

In the meeting, Suryakumar Yadav was appointed the captain of the T20I side while Rohit Sharma will lead the ODI side. An official announcement from the BCCI confirmed the development on Thursday.

Despite being the vice-captain in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has not been considered for the captaincy role by coach Gambhir.

Gambhir wanted KL Rahul & Shreyas Iyer

Gambhir had a virtual meeting with selectors and BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday (July 16) where he explained his vision for Team India. In the meeting, the former India cricketer asked for the return of Iyer and KL Rahul in the ODI side. Rahul has been included in the side as the second wicketkeeper-batter along with Rishabh Pant.

Senior India cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are also set to feature in the ODI squad after the head coach urged them to participate. India's T20I captain will also be decided in the selection meeting as Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are two contenders for the role.

India T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.

India ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.