Suryakumar Yadav EDGED Hardik Pandya as India’s T20 Captain Because Of…

Mumbai: Once Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is, the next question was – who will lead the side, now. The obvious candidate was Hardik Pandya as he had led the T20I side in the past. But, there was a twist as Suryakumar Yadav edged Hardik to T20I captaincy. So, why did this happen? India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed why the decision went in Suryakumar’s favour. As per Agarkar, a dressing-room feedback was taken and most favoured Suryakumar and that is where Hardik lost out. “We listened to the feedbacks from the dressing room,” is how Agarkar put with regards to making Suryakumar Yadav the captain.

“We received good feedbacks about Surya and we believe he has the qualities and hopefully he can develop into the role,” Agarkar said of their pick,” he said further.

“Fitness obviously has been a challenge for him (Pandya) over the last few years and that becomes a little bit difficult for a coach and selectors. We want someone who is available more often than not,” Agarkar added.

Meanwhile, the Indian team embarked on a new journey under Gautam Gambhir as the Men in Blue departed for Sri Lankan tour from Mumbai on Monday. India will play three T20Is scheduled from July 27, July 28, and July 30, followed by a three-match ODI series starting on August 1. The Pallekele International Stadium will host the T20I leg of the series, while the R Premadasa Stadium will host the 50-over matches.

With new combinations in place, it would be interesting to see the plans and the approach.