Having played the T20 World Cup 2024 as vice-captain, India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was one of the front-runners to take over the leadership mantle after Rohit Sharma retired from the shortest format.

However, when the squad for the current Sri Lanka tour was announced in July, Hardik was listed only as a player, with Suryakumar Yadav being handed the T20I captaincy.

Not only this, Hardik also lost his vice-captaincy in both white-ball formats, with Shubman Gill being named deputy in ODIs and T20Is.

In an interaction with Sports Yaari, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh called the decision ‘surprising’ while also adding that it must be a ‘big setback’ for Hardik Pandya.

"I was (surprised). Upto some extent, I was (disappointed). He was your vice-captain...when Rohit Sharma is not the captain, your vice-captain becomes the captain. But if you tell him on fitness ground that you will not be the captain - there's no T20I cricket round the year," Harbhajan said.

"He came after winning the T20 World Cup and suddenly, it's a big setback for him. It's not right. I have great respect for Suryakumar Yadav. Phenomenal player, great guy...very selfless. Even he wouldn't have though that this would happen," he added.

Notably, Hardik Pandya was overlooked for the leadership role due to fitness issues as chief selector Ajit Agarkar categorically stated in the media that they preferred a player whose availability was consistently reliable.

"Regarding Hardik, he's still a very important player for us. Fitness has obviously been a challenge for him... Then it becomes difficult for the coach or selectors... Fitness is a clear challenge and we want someone who is available more often than not....Having said that, we believe Surya has the qualities necessary to be a captain....,” Agarkar had told reporters.

He added: “We also feel we can manage Hardik better, we've seen what he can do with the bat and ball in the World Cup... We speak to every player, whether their role has changed. And yeah we've spoken to him...”

Under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, India whitewashed Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series in July. They will next face Bangladesh in a three-T20I series, starting October 6 in Gwalior.