Why Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar-led selectors chose Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya?

Chief selector of the Indian men’s cricket team Ajit Agarkar revealed that fitness was a major criteria for their reason to pick Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya.

“He is one of the deserving candidates,” Agarkar told the reporters on Monday as Gautam Gambhir was unveiled as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. “He is one of the best T20 batters in the world. We feel that Surya has all the necessary qualities to be a good captain. We wanted a captain, who is likely to play all the games,” he added.

“Surya has the necessary ability to lead the team. We wanted a captain who is around. We will see how he will do in two years time.”

More from First Cricket News

BCCI defends decision to play vs Pakistan in Asia Cup months after Pahalgam attack: 'If we boycott...' 'Indian players share compassion and feeling of majority Indian public': Ten Doeschate on IND vs PAK clash

Agarkar elaborated Pandya is still an invaluable player for the Indian team.

“As far as Hardik is concerned, he is still a very important player. And that’s what we want him to be, those skillsets are hard to find,” he said.

“Fitness has been something that he’s struggled with. As selectors, it becomes difficult then. The thought behind it was that we want someone (as captain) who is likely to be available more.

“We also feel we can manage Hardik better, we’ve seen what he can do with the bat and ball in the World Cup… We speak to every player, about whether their role has changed. And yeah we’ve spoken to him…”

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Agarkar clarified that at this point ‘SKY’ is only considered for the T20Is.

“At this point, Surya is being seen just as a T20 player, not being considered for ODIs,” said Agarkar.