Ajit Agarkar reveals why Suryakumar Yadav was appointed as T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya

Ajit Agarkar said Hardik Pandya is still very important player in the Indian cricket team.

India men’s cricket team chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the reason behind why Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the new T20I captain ahead of all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

After winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian cricket team are all set to play their first major series. Men in Blue will travel Sri Lanka for a white-ball tour consisting three T20Is and as many ODIs. The three-match T20I series will be played from July 27 to July 30, whereas three ODIs are scheduled from August 2 to August 7.

Suryakumar Yadav has all the necessary abilities: Ajit Agarkar

All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was vice-captain of the Indian side and played a big role when they lifted the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, was expected by most to takeover as the T20I captain once Rohit Sharma called it quits from the shortest format.

However, things changed quickly for Hardik as BCCI announced squads for the upcoming white ball tour of Sri Lanka. The Indian management named Suryakumar as the new T20I skipper of the Indian team.

Ahead of the departure of the Indian cricket team for the Island Nation, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has opened up on not naming Pandya as the new T20I skipper.

Agarker said that Pandya is a very important player for the team, but his fitness is a big challenge for the selectors and Suryakumar has all the necessary abilities to be the captain.

“Hardik Pandya is a very important player, we have seen it in the World Cup and we need him, but his fitness is a big challenge now. I think we can manage him better. He is still part of our team… Surya Kumar Yadav has all the necessary abilities (to be the captain)…,” Agarkar said during the press conference ahead of Sri Lanka tour.

Agarkar further added that Suryakumar had better feedback from the dressing room, which was another reason why the selectors made him the T20I captain.

“It’s the feedback we had received from the dressing room and he (Suryakumar) is a deserving candidate.” concluded Agarkar

India squad for T20I series against Sri Lanka:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.

India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka:

Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.

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