New Delhi: The Indian team management and Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel’s decision to remove Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain of the Indian team in T20Is has left former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik baffled. Karthik said he has no clue why Hardik was stripped of vice-captaincy as he questioned the decision.
Hardik was surprisingly snubbed from T20I captaincy after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format following India’s memorable triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik played an instrumental role in helping India lift the elusive title, however, he was overlooked for captaincy despite his heroics with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the reins.
Hardik was also not given vice-captaincy as the team management named Shubman Gill the vice-captain of the side. Despite Gill losing his spot in the T20I squad, Hardik was left waiting as India didn’t have a vice-captain for their last two T20I series against Bangladesh and South Africa. To many’s surprise, Axar Patel was named vice-captain for India’s upcoming T20I series against England at home with Hardik getting snubbed once again.
Reacting to the decision of the selectors and team management to remove Hardik from the vice-captain’s role, Karthik said he saw no reason why the decision was taken and insisted the star all-rounder had done well as the captain of the side in the absence of Rohit in the lead up to the T20 World Cup 2024.
“I really don’t know. I don’t know why he (Hardik) was stripped of his vice-captaincy. I don’t see any reason to. They have done well. They have won in the bilaterals that he was the vice-captain. Not a clue,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik said he has no clue why Hardik Pandya has been removed as India’s vice-captain in T20Is despite having done well. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
