Race between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav to become new India T20I captain - Reports

Hardik Pandya was vice-captain of the Indian side at the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

After senior Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma announced his T20I retirement following ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now on a hunt to find a new captain for the Indian cricket team in the shortest format. 

India’s first major assignment after the T20 World Cup 2024 will start with the upcoming away white-ball series against Sri Lanka. It was also be the first assignment for Gautam Gambhir, who was recently appointed as the new head coach of the Men in Blue.

Sri Lanka will host India for three T20Is and as many ODIs in the upcoming series. The three-match T20I series will begin on July 27, followed by the second match on July 28 and the final match of the series on July 30. The ODI series will start from August 2, followed by the next two matches on August 4 and August 7.

Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav front-runners to become India’s next T20I skipper

While Rohit Sharma didn’t play T20Is after T20 World Cup 2022, India tried several captains in the shortest format and two of them were Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar came into the frame when Hardik got injured during the ODI World Cup in 2023.

With Rohit Sharma moving on from T20Is, now the race is between two of the stars who led India in the shortest format last year. Under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, India played 16 T20Is and won 10 games, while under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, India played seven T20Is and won five out of those.

According to a latest report in Indian Express, a BCCI source revealed that it’s a delicate matter to choose the new T20I captain. The report further added that there are arguments on both sides regarding Hardik and Surya. Hardik’s fitness concern is a major issue for the think tank, the BCCI source told Express.

“It is a delicate matter. There is an argument on both sides of the debate and thus everyone is not on the same page. Hardik’s fitness is an issue but he played a big role in breaking India’s ICC jinx. As for Suryakumar, we have received feedback from the team that his captaincy style was well received by the dressing room,” said a BCCI source.

The Indian Express report further added that all-rounder Pandya has informed the BCCI that he won’t be taking part in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka from August 2 to 7, citing personal reasons.

India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024: Full Schedule and Timings

Three-match T20I series:

July 27: First T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 28: Second T20I, 7:00 PM IST

July 30: Third T20I, 7:00 PM IST

Three-match ODI series:

August 2: First ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 4: Second ODI, 2:30 PM IST

August 7: Third ODI, 2:30 PM IST

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