India's Sri Lanka squad by Tuesday; BCCI review to put support staff under scanner

What the report says

The Times of India reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to name the squad for India’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka by Tuesday, July 28. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told the newspaper that the selection would be completed within two days. The series is scheduled to begin with the first Test in Galle from August 15 to 19, followed by the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

The report frames the Sri Lanka tour as a significant examination for India’s batters, given the likelihood of spin-friendly conditions and the team’s recent difficulties against high-quality spin away from home. Shubman Gill is identified in the article as India’s Test and ODI captain, while Gautam Gambhir is the head coach.

TOI also reported that the BCCI plans to review India’s recent white-ball tours of Ireland, England and Zimbabwe in early August, after the team returns from Zimbabwe. Saikia said the meeting would look at what went wrong, including the England tour. The article notes that India, led in T20Is by Shreyas Iyer, lost 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England in T20Is, while Gill’s side lost the ODI series in England 2-1. India later opened the Zimbabwe T20I series with a seven-wicket win in Harare.

A key issue for the review will be the future of support staff members Ryan ten Doeschate and T Dilip, whose two-year contracts have expired. TOI reported that the review committee will decide whether their contracts are extended, amid speculation they may not continue.