Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir said that if the national selectors and team management have clearly communicated to the senior stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul that they have moved on from them in the T20I format, then it should be fine.
Gambhir further said that if this is the case and India moved on from Rohit, then Hardik Pandya is the only ideal candidate to replace the opener as India's captain in T20I cricket and probably in the ODIs as well. However, he felt that judging Rohit based solely on one ICC tournament was unfair.
Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports: “We have to wait and watch. If actually selectors have moved on from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, then probably yes. When Rohit comes back, it's gonna be difficult for someone like Hardik to replace him as captain because judging him by just one ICC tournament, it's not the right parameter.”
The former opener continued, “If selectors have already communicated to Virat, KL Rahul and Rohit, and all those guys. If there's clear communication, they have moved on from them. Then probably Hardik is the only guy at the moment because he is the only one who actually fits in that playing XI. And then you got Suryakumar as his deputy. So, I think, that's going to be the way forward.
Pandya, who became the latest addition to the leadership group of the Rahul Dravid-coached side in 2022, has been appointed as the vice-captain of Indian team in white-ball formats, replacing KL Rahul. The white-ball star will remain Rohit's deputy in the build-up to the ICC World Cup 2023.
"He has been absolutely brilliant. Since he has come out of that controversy. Since he has taken over as captain of Gujarat Titans (GT), he has won the IPL. He has done everything possible that was asked of him, from the Indian cricket point of view. Looking at the World Cup as well, I think the semi-final when it came to that crunch game, where India was under pressure (62/2 in 10 overs).”
Gambhir signed off by saying, “And then playing that kind of a blinder. I think he has that X-factor. Hopefully, he can try and give that X-factor or courage to other guys as well. This is a very young side, they are fearless, and that is what you want to see in T20I cricket,” Gambhir signed off.
(Star Sports inputs)
