Ajit Agarkar Reveals Reasons Behind Suryakumar Yadav’s Selection as T20I Captain Over Hardik Pandya
Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir, India’s chief selector and new head coach respectively, assert Suryakumar Yadav’s suitability for T20I captaincy
Ajit Agarkar Reveals Reasons Behind Suryakumar Yadav’s Selection as T20I Captain Over Hardik Pandya India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar shed light on why Hardik Pandya was not considered for a leadership role in the upcoming T20I and ODI tour to Sri Lanka. A significant development in Gambhir’s initial squad announcement was Suryakumar Yadav’s elevation to T20I captaincy, while Hardik Pandya did not receive a vice-captaincy role in any format. Agarkar hinted at concerns over Pandya’s fitness.
“Suryakumar was chosen as captain because he’s among the deserving candidates. He has been closely associated with the team over the past year, and feedback from the dressing room has been positive. He possesses a strong cricketing acumen and remains one of the world’s top T20 batsmen,” Agarkar stated during a joint press conference.
“We wanted a captain who is likely to play all matches. Suryakumar fits the bill as a deserving candidate, and we look forward to seeing how he evolves in this role,” the chief selector added. Agarkar emphasized the importance of selecting a captain with a proven fitness record, indirectly referencing concerns about Pandya’s injury-prone nature.
However, Agarkar reiterated that Pandya remains a crucial player for Team India due to his versatile all-round abilities.
Ajit Agarkar Reveals Reasons Behind Suryakumar Yadav’s Selection as T20I Captain Over Hardik Pandya
“Pandya played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph with significant contributions both with the bat and ball. Nevertheless, we believe Suryakumar Yadav is the right choice for captaincy,” Agarkar explained.
“Hardik Pandya continues to be a vital player for us. His unique skill set is invaluable, but fitness has been a recurring challenge. We have time until the next T20 World Cup to evaluate various aspects without rushing into decisions,” Agarkar clarified.
Regarding the exclusion of former vice-captain KL Rahul, Agarkar deferred, stating he was not involved in that decision-making process.
“With a longer period ahead, including upcoming World Cups, we prioritize selecting players who are consistently available. This approach also allows us to manage Hardik’s workload effectively,” Agarkar concluded.
Agarkar also highlighted Suryakumar Yadav’s credentials, describing him as a deserving candidate with the qualities necessary for effective leadership.
While Suryakumar Yadav’s appointment as T20I captain has been a significant move, particularly under Gambhir’s tenure, it aligns with his previous leadership experience at Kolkata Knight Riders, where Gambhir appointed him deputy at a young age.
