Earlier Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan does not find anything unusual in the management’s decision to overlook Hardik Pandya for the T20I captaincy due to the latter’s inconsistency in playing all formats of the game. For most of the T20Is last year when Rohit Sharma was not available, the 30-year-old led the Indian team, he was surpassed by Suryakumar Yadav due to an injury recently.
T20 World Cup Champion’s Snub: Rohit’s Deputy Hardik Pandya Ignored for Future T20I Captaincy Role
Pandya was also Rohit’s deputy when India emerged champions in the just-concluded T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. However, the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief selector Ajit Agarkar left the T20I’s command over to Suryakumar Yadav in the future.
Suryakumar was promoted as the T20I captain of the Indian team while Pandya was included in the Indian team for the white ball series against Sri Lanka.
“Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir said a couple of days ago, if I am not mistaken talked about fitness. He is not playing all formats, I mean, he is playing only one format, he doesn’t even play the 50-over format that much. So it is difficult for Hardik Pandya or any coach or captain. I will just say that the thoughts are different,”
“It’s not surprising that when it comes to cricket, these things happen. It’s a bit surprising that Hardik Pandya, as you said, he was the vice-captain in the World Cup. But at the same time, a new coach has come. A new thought has come. So every coach, each captain has a different thought. So at this time, their thought is on that side,”
Hardik’s T20I Captaincy Record: Despite Snub, Former Cricketer Ashish Nehra Hails Pandya’s Value to the Indian Team
It must also be noted that Hardik has a great track record as the T20I captain as he has won 10 out of 16 matches. The Sri Lanka Cricket announced the three match T20I series against Sri Lanka which will start from Pallekele on the 27 July.
However, even though Hardik Pandya was sidelined for the T20I captaincy, Ashish Nehra stressed on the cricketer’s indispensability in the Indian team.
Hardik played a fantastic 2024 T20 World Cup where he scored 48 with the help of the strike rate of 151. 57 with the bat and claiming 11 wickets at an average of 17. 36 with the ball.
“Hardik Pandya is a very important player for Indian cricket. Whether he plays twice or not, he is the fourth fast bowler. He brings a different balance because there is no impact player rule,” said Nehra.