Suryakumar Yadav favorite to become India’s full-time T20I captain; Hardik Pandya can get the post on one condition: Report

Gambhir has reportedly advocated the name of Surya ahead of Hardik as India's next T20I captain.

After India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph last month, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from international cricket’s shortest format. So, the question now arises – who will lead India in T20Is going forward.

Young batter Shubman Gill led India’s second-string team during the recently concluded T20I tour of Zimbabwe. However, the Men in Blue will play with a full-strength squad in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.

It will be interesting to see the captain of India’s T20I side on the Sri Lanka tour, which will also mark the start of Gautam Gambhir’s stint as head coach.

Middle-order star Suryakumar Yadav and leading all-rounder Hardik Pandya are considered as the front-runner for the leadership role.

Gambhir has reportedly advocated the name of Suryakumar ahead of Hardik as India's full-time T20I captain. The head coach and the selection committee reportedly had a chat with both the cricketers on Tuesday (July 16), explaining the situation about wanting a stable long-term option.

While Hardik was the designated deputy of Rohit at the T20 World Cup, his injury issues have had the selectors and the coach worried.  

"Hardik was the natural successor of Rohit Sharma since he has been the vice-captain. But the selection committee and Gambhir are leaning towards Surya. The argument is the uncertainty over Hardik's availability in every series that India plays. They want a stable captain going forward with the T20 World Cup in 2026," a BCCI source told TOI.

However, the report further claims that all is not over for Hardik yet and if the all-rounder manages to convince Gambhir and the selectors about his consistent availability, he could still become the T20I captain.

"The coach and selectors spoke to both players on Tuesday evening. The scenario had to be made clear. It will be up to Hardik to reassure the management about his availability. A final call will be taken in the selection meeting soon," the source added.

Meanwhile, the selectors have another big decision to make regarding India's ODI captain for the Sri Lanka tour. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to skip the series and KL Rahul’s is considered as the leading contender for the captaincy.

But, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir, and others might also offer the role to Shubman Gill, considering that he is a more long-term option.

(With TOI Inputs)