New-look Team India led by skipper Shikhar Dhawan departed for Sri Lanka for the upcoming white-ball series against the Islanders on Monday. Dhawan, who is set to lead the Indian national team in the twin limited-overs series against hosts Sri Lanka, shared a couple of photos with his teammates on social media. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Indian opener Dhawan posted a photo from the team’s charter flight.  

“Next stop, Sri Lanka!,” Dhawan kept things short while taking a selfie with Team India stars Prithvi Shaw, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. Reacting to Dhawan’s latest social media activity on Instagram, Indian batsman and Mumbai Indians (MI) superstar Suryakumar Yadav engaged in a hilarious banter with the newly appointed Team India captain. 

“Have my eyes on you skip. Find me in that pic,” Suryakumar left a note-worthy comment on Dhawan’s post. Taking cognisance of Suryakumar’s remark, Dhawan poked fun at his Team India teammate by leaving a cheeky reply. Here’s how Dhawan and Suryakumar engaged in a funny banter ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.

Talking about India’s tour of Sri Lanka, the Indian think tank has made the most of the world-class bench of the Asian giants while naming the second-string squad for the white-ball series. India will lock horns with Sri Lanka in three ODIs and as many T20Is from July 13. While Dhawan has been named captain of the Rahul Dravid-coached side, senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new vice-captain of the Men In Blue for the Sri Lanka series.

The Sri Lanka series will be Dhawan’s maiden outing as the captain of the Indian side in white-ball format. “It is a new challenge but at the same time it is a great opportunity for all of us to show our talent. Everybody is waiting (for the tour to begin),” Team India skipper Dhawan told reporters during the virtual press conference on Sunday.