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 a conversation with the Caught Behind YouTube channel, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said that fitness was just an excuse for not making Pandya the captain.
Notably, chief selector Ajit Agarkar told the media on Monday (July 22) that the team management wanted Hardik Pandya to focus on his fitness and, thus, Suryakumar Yadav was backed as Rohit Sharma’s successor.
"No, here they (the claims) just hand him a certificate saying he isn't fit and there are concerns about his fitness. There are plenty of players who weren't super fit but still became great captains. So, I think it was just an excuse. Because if Surya wasn't around, then Rishabh (Pant) would have been the captain since you have to look at the future," Latif stated.
In a press conference before the Indian team departed for Sri Lanka, Agarkar explained the rationale behind not appointing Hardik as captain in the shortest format.
"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 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...”
India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs on the tour of Sri Lanka, starting on July 27. While all the T20Is will take place in Pallekele, the 50-over series will be held in Colombo.
India’s T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj
India’s ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Akshar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana
