Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer hailed the national selectors’ decision to name Hardik Pandya as the captain for the upcoming tour of Ireland and said that the all-rounder should be the first preference to lead Team India in white-ball cricket in Rohit Sharma's absence going forward.
On Wednesday, June 15, the BCCI announced a 17-member India squad for the two-match T20I series in Ireland, with Pandya being appointed as stand-in captain and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as his deputy.
Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo: “I think he (Hardik Pandya) deserves that. Going forward, Indian selectors should look at him seriously leading in white-ball cricket. Especially if Rohit Sharma is not available, I think Hardik Pandya should be the first choice.”
Recently, Hardik led Gujarat Titans (GT) to their maiden IPL 2022 title win in their very first appearance despite not having any captaincy experience, leaving many impressed with his leadership skills.
Jaffer further said, “In my opinion, the way he led in the IPL, the way his own performances came through, he is someone who relishes that job and I think going forward, he's probably my No.1 choice after Rohit Sharma. So, it does make sense that he's leading the side.”
He signed off by saying, “If Rohit is playing, I would like Hardik Pandya to be the vice-captain so any time when Rohit misses any game or any series (Hardik will get a chance). Hardik Pandya, especially in white-ball cricket, he's somebody who enjoys that job and gets the best out of himself and others. He's probably my next in line after Rohit Sharma.”
Here’s India's T20I squad:
Hardik Pandya (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vc), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.
(ESPNcricinfo inputs)
