Former spinner Harbhajan Singh feels that Hardik Pandya should have been Team India’s captain in T20 Internationals instead of Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik served as Rohit Sharma’s vice-captain during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. After Rohit retired from the format following India’s victory, Pandya seemed to be the only suitable choice for captaincy.
However, things changed when Gautam Gambhir became the head coach. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee made a surprising decision by naming Suryakumar Yadav as the new captain. They explained that Hardik Pandya is prone to injuries and doesn’t play in all of India’s matches. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav is fit and available for all the matches.
In a recent interview with Sports Yaari, the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh said that it was a big mistake and Pandya should have been the captain of the side.
“You don’t play a lot of T20Is these days, and the calendar for the next two or three years is already with the selectors. They should have spoken to Hardik Pandya about the upcoming series in the shortest format and explained to him what was needed. He was India’s T20I captain when Rohit was not around. By logic, Hardik deserved to lead India, as he didn’t do anything wrong.
“I don’t know why his fitness was highlighted while giving leadership to SKY. I don’t have anything against Surya. He is an outstanding and selfless person. I know he was not expecting to get the captaincy. Hardik is unlucky,” he said.
Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will once again be seen playing for India in the upcoming three-match T20I against Bangladesh.
