India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who played a significant role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, grabbed headlines for several reasons off late. One reason among them was his unexpected snub from India’s squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Pandya was likely to be India’s new shortest-format captain after Rohit Sharma called time on his T20I career.
However, to everyone’s surprise, the new team management structure, under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, handed the baton to Suryakumar Yadav, while Shubman Gill was named vice-captain. Several reports made rounds since then, suggesting different opinions and reasons. However, as per the latest reports, BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had a major role in Pandya’s snub.
As per reports by PTI, Agarkar was doubtful of Pandya’s captaincy capabilities, especially after his disastrous campaign with MI in IPL 2024. As per the reports, the duo of Gambhir and Agarkar thinks that Pandya still lacks the edge to be India’s next T20I captain. While Pandya’s tenure as Gujarat Titans was successful, his campaign with MI was not impressive.
It is to be noted that Pandya has led India in 16 T20Is and three ODIs during the absence of permanent captain, Rohit Sharma. The Men in Blue will travel to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and as many T20Is, set to begin on July 27 with the first T20I.