New Delhi: Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as the frontrunners to replace Rohit Sharma as captain for India in T20Is. Rohit announced his retirement from the shortest format after leading India to a memorable triumph in T20 World Cup 2024 last month. Both Hardik and Suryakumar were part of the World Cup-winning team.
Hardik was India’s designated vice-captain in the T20 World Cup 2024 and led the team in the absence of Rohit following India’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2022. Hardik was also backed to lead India in the T20 World Cup earlier this year but an injury to the star all-rounder saw Rohit regain his position in the T20 squad and lead India once again.
As per a report in the Indian Express, Pandya could have been the obvious choice for the selectors and the team management after playing a key role in India’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, there are concerns about his suspect fitness record. Hardik’s poor injury record has brought Suryakumar in contention for captaincy.
The report adds that newly-appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s vote will also be crucial in deciding who will lead India in T20Is between Hardik and Suryakumar. While Hardik has led India in 16 matches, Suryakumar also led the Men in Blue in 7 T20Is in the all-rounder’s absence in 2023.
As per the report, it was due to Pandya’s frequent breakdowns that the Ajit Agarkar-led senior selection committee decided to hand over the captaincy to Rohit ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. The move paid off as Rohit led India to glory in the T20 World Cup 2024, helping end the country’s 11-year-long ICC trophy drought.
“It is a delicate matter. There is an argument on both sides of the debate and thus everyone is not on the same page. Hardik’s fitness is an issue but he played a big role in breaking India’s ICC jinx. As for Suryakumar, we have received feedback from the team that his captaincy style was well received by the dressing room,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
If Hardik’s fitness record is doubtful, Suryakumar too has had his share of injury issues in the recent past. The premier batter had undergone hernia and ankle surgery earlier this year and made his comeback only during IPL 2024 before featuring for India in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Suryakumar has been exceptional for India in T20Is ever since his debut in 2021, however, his performances in ICC tournaments have been below par.
BCCI will have to make a decision soon
BCCI and the Agarkar-led selection panel will have to soon make a decision on whom to appoint as India’s next T20I captain with less than two weeks left for the Sri Lanka series to get underway. India will play a three-match T20I series against the hosts starting July 27. The series will also mark the debut of Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team.
Hardik Pandya and Suraykumar Yadav are reportedly in contention to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s next captain in T20Is. Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is after leading India to glory in T20 World Cup 2024 last month. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
