Hardik Pandya was overlooked for India’s T20I captaincy as the BCCI selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as the next skipper in the format. The decision was made after Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
Hardik Pandya was the prime contender for India’s captaincy having led the team in 16 T20Is with 10 wins and 5 losses. Suryakumar Yadav, on the other hand, has led India in 7 T20Is, winning 5 of them and losing two.
However, as per BCCI selector, Pandya’s fitness issues and workload management proved to be a deterrent in naming him India captain in T20Is and with Suryakumar Yadav being available full-time, he was the one entrusted with the captaincy responsibly.
However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa said that Hardik Pandya shouldn’t be worried about not being named India T20I captain. He said that the all-rounder should benefit from the decision in long run.
"If I were in Hardik's place, I would actually feel taken care of to a certain extent. Because within the Indian cricket ecosystem, a fast-bowling all-rounder is a very rare commodity. If I'm 34-35 years old and I'm someone who's been injury-prone through my career and a certain responsibility has been taken away from me with the mindset of extending my career and giving me the best chance to offer my services to my country for as long as possible, keeping that in view, I would actually say OK this is the best thing for me,” Uthappa told Sony Sports.
Uthappa acknowledged the honor associated with leading the national team but emphasized the broader goal of serving the country for an extended period.
"Yes, leading India and leading a country is one of the greatest honors that any figure can ever imagine. I think, uh, the larger picture would be can I serve my country for as long as possible and win as many world championships for my country as long as possible,” he added.
Reflecting on personal priorities, Uthappa shared, "If you asked me between the two what I would pick as a human being, I would say, serving my country and winning as many World Cup championships, irrespective of whether I was a captain or whether I was just a player.
Knowing Hardik Pandya on a certain level, I would say he'd be someone saying it's fine, their perspective is also right. They want a player of my quality and my caliber to be able to serve my country for as long as possible. And I would love to do that as well."
Uthappa also said that Hardik should tell the management about his availability and readiness to step in whenever needed, particularly in white-ball cricket.
"I would love to do that in the white format, which I'm currently available for. I can leave whenever, whenever required. God forbid if Suryakumar Yadav has an injury. I'm available, and I'm playing a bunch of tournaments. The need ever requires I will always be available to lead my country, but I would love to serve my country in white-ball cricket.
In defending the T20I championship in the next World Cup, contending for the Champions Trophy, and for the upcoming One Day World Cup,” Uthappa signed off.
Hardik Pandya will be in action when India takes Sri Lanka on in first of three T20Is on Saturday, July 27.
(Sony sports inputs)
