New Delhi: Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is reportedly back in contention to lead India in T20Is amid Suryakumar Yadav’s woeful form in the shortest format. Hardik was the favourite to take over as India’s T20I captain following the team’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 last year. However, the selectors and the team management surprisingly handed over the reins to Suryakumar after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format.
Hardik was India’s first-choice captain in T20Is when seniors like Rohit and Virat Kohli were sidelined from the shortest format following the team’s debacle in the T20 World Cup 2022. He was also in contention to lead India in the T20 World Cup 2024 but was replaced by Rohit before eventually being replaced permanently by Suryakumar.
However, a report in Dainik Jagran claimed that Hardik might soon replace Suryakumar as India’s new captain in T20Is amid the batter’s woeful returns in the shortest format. Since taking over as India’s T20I skipper last year, Suryakumar has managed only 258 runs in 14 innings at an average of 18.42 with just two half-centuries to his name. In the recently concluded T20I series against England at home, Suryakumar managed only 28 runs in five innings with two ducks.
Gautam Gambhir, BCCI officials feel Hardik Pandya was wronged in the past
The report further adds that India head coach Gautam Gambhir and some of the BCCI top brass are in the favour of Hardik replacing Suryakumar as India’s captain in T20Is as they feel the star all-rounder was wronged in the past. Hardik was snubbed from T20I captaincy last year with the selectors citing his fitness record.
However, he has since not missed a single T20I game for India and has been one of the most consistent performers for the team. Speaking about the decision to appoint Suryakumar instead of Hardik as captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said last year that the decision was taken keeping in mind who is available more often than not.
But Hardik reportedly now has the backing of head coach Gambhir and some top BCCI officials and might return as India’s T20I skipper soon. Any decision of change in captaincy will have to be implemented soon as India continue their preparations for the T20 World Cup next year.
Hardik is currently playing for India in the ODI series against England and is also part of the team’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad while Suryakumar is not the scheme of things for India as far as ODIs are concerned.
Hardik Pandya is reportedly back in contention to take over as India’s new captain in T20Is amid Suryakumar Yadav’s dwindling returns in the shortest format. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
