The transition phase has begun in India’s T20I team, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over as the new captain ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Preference to Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya

The selectors made a bold decision by appointing Surya as the skipper over Hardik Pandya, who was Rohit Sharma‘s deputy in the T20 World Cup 2024, where India emerged victorious.

Hardik also lost his vice-captaincy as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opted to move forward with Shubman Gill as the new white-ball deputy, focusing on future prospects. Despite Hardik being a strong candidate for the captaincy, the BCCI did not provide a specific reason for Surya’s appointment.

Ashish Nehra’s perspective on the captaincy decision

Former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra commented that the decision was not entirely surprising as such changes are common in cricket. He noted that the appointment of a new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, brought a new thought process to the team.

Nehra emphasized the importance of fitness, a point also highlighted by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gambhir.

“It’s not surprising that when it comes to cricket, these things happen. It’s a bit surprising that Hardik Pandya, who was the vice-captain in the World Cup, was not chosen. However, a new coach and a new thought process have influenced this decision. Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir talked about fitness concerns. Hardik plays only one format now and rarely plays the 50-over format. This makes it challenging for any coach or captain to consider him for a leadership role,” Nehra was quoted as saying by the Sports Tak.

Also READ: Dav Whatmore takes a straightforward shot at Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya

Hardik’s role and future planning

Nehra emphasized Hardik’s crucial role as a fourth fast bowler, noting the impact of injuries and format demands on captaincy. He highlighted Shubman Gill’s appointment as vice-captain across all formats as a positive future-focused move.

“Hardik is a vital player, providing a unique balance as the fourth fast bowler. He is not the only one affected by these changes; players like Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul have also captained in the past. Injuries and the demand of multiple formats will always lead to changes. The positive takeaway is the planning for the future with Shubman Gill being announced as the vice-captain across all three formats,” Nehra concluded.

Hardik’s IPL success

Notably, Hardik achieved significant success in his first assignment as the captain of an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in 2022 with the Gujarat Titans (GT). He formed a strong working relationship with Gujarat’s coach Nehra. Under their leadership, the Gujarat won the IPL 2022 and reached the final in 2023, highlighting Hardik’s potential as a leader.

Also WATCH: Hardik Pandya hugs new assistant coach Abhishek Nayar as India departs for Sri Lanka