Former India captain Kris Srikkanth said that he was not convinced by the reasoning provided by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar for not appointing Hardik Pandya as India’s T20I captain. The BCCI chief announced Suryakumar Yadav as the next India T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the format.
Agarkar had mentioned in the press conference that they had taken the 'dressing room feedback' into consideration to name Suryakumar as captain. Srikkanth suggested that he could not comprehend the doubts over Hardik's fitness issues or the 'dressing room feedback'.
"I think they have gone from the feedback of the dressing room. It must have probably been from the IPL. Fitness is something that I will not agree with. He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That's another issue. Mumbai Indians didn't qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well. So, fitness is something that I won't agree with," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Agarkar also noted Hardik's fitness concerns and the need for someone who was "consistently available." Hardik got an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup 2023, forcing him to miss six months of cricket.
He returned in IPL 2024 as captain of the MI franchise. However, the team finished in last place in the points table.
Ajit Agarkar also stated that they had received "positive feedback from the dressing room" on leadership abilities.
Srikkanth was unconvinced by the explanation, and he thought that the selectors decided to skirt the issue rather than state unequivocally that they wanted to remove Hardik as captain and move on. Overall, he wanted the selections to provide an adequate explanation.
"Feedback from the dressing room? I am not able to understand that. Yes, Suryakumar has the qualities to be captain. I agree with that. He could prove to be a very good captain. But the reasons for dropping Hardik Pandya as captain are beating around the bush in terms of the reasoning.
Suryakumar is a fantastic person. I like him. So is Hardik. But the reasons that they are giving They could have said it straightforwardly 'we are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long-term'. Make it clear. Say it without fear. I have also been chairman. I have picked players, dropped players, and faced a lot of criticism. I am not saying I was God, I have also made mistakes. But you have to give a good explanation. I am not convinced by the reasoning,” Srikkanth added.
Both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will be in action when India and Sri Lanka clash in the first T20I on July 27 in Kandy.
