 "Why BCCI, India selectors are unsure about Hardik Pandya as T20I captain")
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s selectors and India head coach Gautam Gambhir will have to take a tough call in terms of who among Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Men in Blue in the shortest format. The BCCI is likely to announce the squad for India’s limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (17 July), 10 days before the tour gets underway.
According to the Times of India, Suryakumar Yadav has been considered as a more “stable candidate” over Hardik Pandya for captaincy despite the latter’s experience. Hardik has captained India in 16 T20Is, having won 10 matches, whereas Suryakumar Yadav has led the Men in Blue in seven matches where he has won five.
Follow LIVE | India squad for Sri Lanka tour
“Hardik was the natural successor of Rohit Sharma since he has been the vice-captain. But the selection committee and Gambhir are leaning towards Surya. The argument is the uncertainty over Hardik’s availability in every series that India plays. They want a stable captain going forward with the T20 World Cup in 2026,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
The source added that coach Gambhir and the selectors have spoken to both players and that it will be Hardik’s call with regards to his availability. “The coach and selectors spoke to both players (Hardik and Suryakumar) on Tuesday evening. The scenario had to be made clear. It will be up to Hardik to reassure the management about his availability. A final call will be taken in the selection meeting,” added the source.
Hardik has opted out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka that gets underway on 2 August. Rohit Sharma, too, has asked for a break so the selectors have their task cut out. KL Rahul is a strong candidate for captaincy in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, although the team management will have to decide if Shubman Gill is also a potential candidate.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIndia’s T20I series against Sri Lanka will begin on 27 July, with the first T20I to be played in Pallekele.
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