According to a report in The Indian Express, everyone in BCCI and the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar are not on the same page. While Hardik Pandya’s performance in the T20 World Cup as well as his records as skipper previously prove his case, his fitness issue is a big drawback.
Hardik Pandya’s Leadership Position In Danger Due To Fitness Issues, Suryakumar Yadav Being Touted Next Best Option: Reports
Ace India allrounder Hardik Pandya‘s leadership position is still in doubt because of his fitness issues, according to a report in The Indian Express. BCCI is still confused about whether they should continue with him as the T20I captain, or hand over the reins to his deputy Suryakumar Yadav. Pandya was Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup on June 29 in the Caribbean.
According to the report, everyone in the Indian cricket board and the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar aren’t on the same page. The main reason for that is Pandya’s fitness issues.
Despite being the best pace-bowling allrounder India has at the moment, BCCI officials are a bit hesitant about naming Pandya as the permanent T20I skipper. He injured himself during the 2023 ODI World Cup and by the time he returned to action, Rohit had been reinstated as captain.
After Rohit was made to take a long break from T20Is after India’s semifinal loss to England at the 2022 T20 World Cup, it was Pandya who led a new-look Indian team and had enough success to show.
“It is a delicate matter. There is an argument on both sides of the debate and thus everyone is not on the same page. Hardik’s fitness is an issue but he played a big role in breaking India’s ICC jinx. As for Suryakumar, we have received feedback from the team that his captaincy style was well received by the dressing room,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.
Even SKY hasn’t been entirely injury-free during his short international career. He went for consecutive surgeries on his ankle and hernia earlier this year and he made a comeback only during IPL 2024.
According to the report, Pandya has informed the Indian cricket board that he will not participate in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, beginning August 2, due to personal reasons.
The report adds that head coach Gautam Gambhir has requested all senior players in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to play the ODI series since a long break will follow that as well. There has been no word from the players yet, with Rohit and Kohli out of India with their families.