“I am not surprised”: Ashish Nehra on Hardik Pandya’s T20I captaincy snub

Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the T20I format after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup saw the Indian Team looking for a new captain in the shortest format. Many thought that Hardik Pandya was perfect for the role as he was the vice-captain in the Indian side that went on to win the T20 World Cup and had also captained 2 franchises in the IPL. However, the new India head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t feel the same way.

Gambhir, in consultation with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, handed the captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is, while Shubman Gill was appointed as the vice-captain. Speaking on the decision, Ashish Nehra, the man who coached Hardik during his role as captain at IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, isn’t surprised to see this move by the Indian team management.

Hardik and Nehra’s time as captain-coach at Gujarat Titans saw the team reach two IPL finals in two years, winning one. But, Nehra feels that Hardik isn’t a part of Gambhir’s plans as a captain or vice-captain.

“No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup, but at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir’s) ideas are toward that direction,” Nehra told Sports Tak.

“I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that’s good. He is playing one format, 50-over also, he is playing less. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket,” he added.

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