New Delhi: Hardik Pandya has once again found himself in the spotlight, but this time, it’s his captaincy rather than personal issues or injuries that are drawing attention. With the 2024 T20 World Cup approaching, discussions about India’s next T20 captain have intensified, and Suryakumar Yadav is emerging as a strong contender to take over the role from Pandya.
Pandya, who served as vice-captain during the 2024 T20 World Cup, was widely expected to succeed Rohit Sharma as the team’s captain. However, recent developments suggest a shift in this expectation. According to a report by the Times of India, Suryakumar Yadav is now being considered a more stable option for the T20 captaincy, particularly for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
The report highlights concerns over Pandya’s availability as a key factor in this decision. “Hardik Pandya was the natural successor to captain Rohit Sharma ever since he became the vice-captain of Team India. But the selection committee and Gautam Gambhir are leaning towards Suryakumar Yadav. In every series that India plays, the debate is about uncertainty over Hardik’s availability. They want to go with a stable captain in the 2026 T20 World Cup,” the report states.
The selection committee and team management, including the coach and selectors, held discussions with both Pandya and Yadav on Tuesday evening to clarify the situation. The final decision on the captaincy is expected to be made soon during the selection meeting.
Adding to the uncertainty, media reports have indicated that Hardik Pandya has withdrawn his name from the ODI series against Sri Lanka, citing personal reasons. This has further fuelled speculation about his long-term availability and suitability as captain.
Team India’s next assignment is the tour of Sri Lanka, which includes a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20 series. As the debate continues, Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership abilities and consistent performance make him a compelling choice for leading the team in the shorter format.
The Indian cricket fraternity awaits the final decision with keen interest, as it could significantly impact the team’s preparation and strategy leading up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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