Former cricketer and batting coach of India, Sanjay Bangar, expressed his distress on Hardik Pandya for not leading the T20I squad. Surya Kumar Yadav has been appointed as the T20I captain for the India series against Sri Lanka.
Earlier, when the squad for T20I and ODI was released by BCCI, Surya Kumar Yadav was named as the skipper and Shubman Gill as the vice-captain. However, the likelihood of Hardik Pandya leading from the front was higher. There were murmurs of Hardik Pandya being the successor of Rohit Sharma after the latter announced his retirement from the T20I after a victorious event in the T20 World Cup 2024 finale.
“Hardik Will Be Deeply Hurt”: Sanjay Bangar
After the announcement of squads by BCCI for the series against Sri Lanka, Sanjay Bangar was a little taken aback by the decision. Sanjay Bangar pointed out that if Hardik Pandya had not suffered an injury in the ODI World Cup, he could have taken over as the skipper in the T20 World Cup. Hardik Pandya injured his ankle while delivering a ball during the match against Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup 2023. The all-rounder was a longer part of the event. Talking on Star Sports Sanjay Bangar said,
“I am a bit surprised as far as Hardik not being the captain of the T20 team is concerned because even before the previous T20 World Cup it seemed like if Rohit hadn’t become the captain and Hardik hadn’t gotten injured at that time, Hardik only would have become the captain”
“The Indian team had started going in that direction. The selectors had also found that path. I find this sudden U-turn slightly troubling. We have certainly read that the chairman of the selection committee and the coach have spoken to Hardik Pandya”
Furthermore, Sanjay Bangar put forward his remarks on Surya Kumar Yadav, who will lead the shortest-format team in Sri Lanka. The former cricketer said Surya Kumar Yadav has represented Mumbai in domestic cricket and has experience. Bangar also believes SKY has the ability to bring out the best in players. However, Sanjay Bangar feels it’s an injustice to Hardik Pandya for not being considered for the role. Sanjay Bangar also stated that what selectors and head coaches have decided is absolute. However, Hardik Pandya might be deeply hurt by the decision. He said,
It’s not that Suryakumar Yadav has played less domestic cricket before playing international cricket. So he has a lot of experience, I think he has led Mumbai in domestic cricket as well and knows how to extract the best from the players”
“So there is nothing wrong in Suryakumar being made the captain. I fully believe that he will do a good job, but I still feel a little injustice has been meted out to Hardik.”
“As a player, you are always understanding what the selectors are trying to do, what the new coach is trying to do but deep within himself, I am pretty sure that Hardik will be deeply hurt that he is not being considered for T20 captaincy”
Previously, Hardik Pandya debuted as a captain for the men-in-blue in the series against Ireland in the shortest format in June 2022. Moreover, the 30-year-old also led the team in a T20I series against New Zealand. Observing his latest heroics, Hardik Pandya scored 144 runs in six innings and grabbed 11 wickets in eight games in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Observing his latest heroics, Hardik Pandya scored 144 runs with an average of 48a and a strike rate of 151.27 in six innings. Hardik Pandya’s best score from bat came against Bangladesh. He sliced a half-century off his bat in the match off 27 deliveries. In addition, he also performed with the ball, grabbing 11 wickets at an average of 17.36 and an economy of 7.64.
The all-rounder delivered his best bowling figures in the finale against South Africa. He picked up three wickets, giving away just 20 runs in three overs. Hardik Pandya took two crucial wickets, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Both batters appeared to be a threat to India being on either side of the victory. Hardik Pandya defended 16 runs in the last over, sending David Miller back to the pavilion, who was the last hope for the proteas. Lastly, India won by seven runs and clinched the trophy in the shortest format after a long wait of 17 years.
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