Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead the Indian T20I team on the tour of South Africa in the absence of injured Hardik Pandya.

For the shortest format, the selectors kept their faith on the youngsters and included most of the players participating in the ongoing T20I series against Australia.

Regular skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli have been given a break from the white-ball leg of the South Africa tour.

However, former pacer Ashish Nehra believes that Hardik’s return to T20Is will create a ‘tricky’ situation for the Indian selectors.

Nehra also feels that Rohit and Kohli will play for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 even though they haven’t featured in the shortest format for more than a year.

“Somebody like Rohit Sharma. Somebody like Virat Kohli. If they are fit, we do not need to discuss their form. Definitely, they will be there in the Caribbean and USA,” Nehra told JioCinema.

Rohit’s return will also create a situation where selectors will be forced to make a decision between him and Pandya for the captaincy role.

Hardik Pandya was leading India in the shortest format post the T20 World Cup 2022. However, the all-rounder picked up an ankle injury during the recently held Cricket World Cup, which paved the way for deputy Suryakumar Yadav to take up the role.

While the T20 World Cup 2024 is still seven months away, there are reports claiming that the BCCI wants Rohit to lead the side in the global event.

“I don’t know about captaincy, there is still time. It is a tricky one for the selectors also. Hardik Pandya also got injured and it will be interesting to see when he comes back into the Indian side. If Hardik Pandya plays straight in the IPL, it will be difficult for any selection committee,” said Nehra.

India will play three T20Is on the tour of South Africa, starting on December 10 in Durban.