Hardik Pandya was overlooked for India’s T20I captaincy as the BCCI selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as the next skipper in the shortest format. The decision was made after Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
This move surprised many since the all-rounder was the designated vice-captain at the T20 World Cup last month. In Rohit’s absence, Hardik had also led India in 16 T20Is with 10 wins and 5 losses.
In an exclusive chat with Sports Tak, former India pacer Ashish Nehra said he was not surprised by the Indian management's decision to ignore Hardik for the leadership role in T20Is.
Nehra also understood the thought process of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly-appointed coach Gautam Gambhir in picking Surya as the new T20I skipper.
Notably, Agarkar told the media on Monday (July 22) that the team management wanted Hardik to focus on his fitness and, thus, Suryakumar was backed as Rohit’s successor.
"No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup, but at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir's) ideas are toward that direction," Nehra said.
"I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that's good. He is playing one format, 50-over also, he is playing less. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have 4 fast bowlers, he brings in a different balance to the side and keep in mind, that there's no impact player in international cricket.
"Not just Hardik Pandya, but when you have so many matches, there will be changes. Even Rishabh Pant has captained, KL Rahul has captained," he added.
Young batter Shubman Gill will serve as the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma in the forthcoming T20I and ODI tour of Sri Lanka.
Nehra welcomed this decision, saying that Gill will only improve with experience across all three formats. Nehra and Gill worked together as the captain and coach for the Gujarat Titans in this year’s IPL.
"They have made Shubman Gill in not just one format, but in all three formats. That means you are looking ahead.
"Shubman Gill is a work in progress. He is 24-25 years old now. He will get better as we go ahead. He has the desire to play all 3 formats, he has the heart to learn. He is not someone who thinks that whatever he is doing is right. He is not that kind of guy. Be it a youngster or an experienced player, he likes to have a discussion and learn," he opined.
