Hardik Pandya to remain unavailable for ODI series against Sri Lanka - Reports

Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya will reportedly be unavailable for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against the Lankans, starting on July 27.

Hardik had a successful T20 World Cup campaign and played a key role in India's title win. He picked up 11 wickets, including a three-wicket haul in the final against South Africa, while also scoring 144 runs at an average of 48.

He was rested for the recently concluded five-match Zimbabwe series and will likely return to action during the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

However, according to a report in Express Sports, Hardik Pandya has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about his unavailability for the subsequent three ODIs against Sri Lanka, citing personal reasons.

The series against Sri Lanka will be Gautam Gambhir's first stint as India's head coach. He has reportedly asked all the senior players to be available for the ODIs. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are currently on a break after a tiring few months, are yet to revert to Gambhir's message, as per the aforementioned report.

The ODI series between India and Sri Lanka will get underway on August 2 in Colombo. The remaining two games will be played on August 4 and 7.

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Hardik Pandya attends a roadshow in his home town Vadodara after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup

Hardik Pandya visited his home town Vadodara for the first time on Monday, July 15, since winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

The ace all-rounder was seen attending a roadshow where fans turned up in huge numbers to welcome their favorite star. Hardik's brother Krunal Pandya was also seen attending the celebrations.

As the celebrations for winning the T20 World Cup settle down, Hardik Pandya will look forward to future assignments. He is one of the front-runners to be India's permanent T20I captain after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format after the mega event.