Absence of Kohli and Rohit will be a loss for India, we have to take maximum advantage of that: Sri Lanka coach Sanath Jayasuriya

India and Sri Lanka are set to square off in a three-match T20I series, starting with the first match on Saturday, July 27, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele. Sanath Jayasuriya, who is the interim Sri Lanka coach, hopes that his team would be able to take advantage of an Indian team which will be without multiple stars, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja retired.

The three stalwarts of Indian cricket announced their retirements after helping the Men in Blue win the T20 World Cup last month. Suryakumar Yadav was subsequently named as India's new T20I captain, replacing Rohit. Meanwhile, Jayasuriya was appointed the interim head coach after Chris Silverwood parted ways following Sri Lanka's first-round exit in the World Cup.

“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are best players in the world. Looking at their talent and the kind of cricket they have played we all know where they belong, along with Jadeja. Their absence will be loss to the Indian team and we have to take maximum advantage out of that," Jayasuriya was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

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India also have a new coach at the helm in Gautam Gambhir. However, the former India cricketer has taken up the role in a full-time capacity, unlike Jayasuriya. Gambhir has previously mentored teams like Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL but this will be his first stint as a head coach at the international level. 

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Sri Lanka have also gone through a captaincy change, as Charith Asalanka has taken over the reins from Wanindu Hasaranga, who led them in the T20 World Cup 2024. Last week, Asalanka led Jaffna Kings to their fourth Lanka Premier League (LPL) title in five seasons and would want to start his captaincy tenure in international cricket on a bright note.