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Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya not getting promoted as the successor of Rohit Sharma for the captaincy of the Indian cricket team in the shortest format of the game was an extremely shocking move from the Indian Cricket Board. BCCI instead picked Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain ahead of the Sri Lanka tour despite Hardik being the vice-captain of the Indian team that won the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited Hardik's fitness as the reason behind their reason but Sri Lanka legend Russel Arnold believes this decision was taken because the Mumbai Indians captain was unable to gain respect from everyone around him in the IPL.
Ajit Agarkar reveals reason for not picking Hardik Pandya as T20I captain
Agarkar backed their decision by stating that fitness has been a challenge for the star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, he acknowledged how crucial of a talent Hardik is to the Men in Blue side. He has had his fair share of problems with injuries. Pandya was also ruled out for months after suffering an ankle injury during the league stage of the ODI World Cup 2023.
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"But in regards to Hardik (Pandya), he's still a very important player for us and that's what we want him to be that player that he can be because those sorts of skill sets are very difficult to find what he has. Fitness, obviously, has been a challenge for him over the last few years and then it becomes a little bit more difficult for him and even as selectors. We've got a bit more time till the next T20 World Cup when we can look at a few things. It's not rushed at the moment. The fitness is a clear challenge and we want someone who's likely to be available more often than not," Agarkar said in the press conference before IND vs SL series.
Russel Arnold on Hardik Pandya's captaincy snub
Former Sri Lanka player Russel Arnold reckoned that how IPL 2024 went for Hardik Pandya, where he failed to earn the respect of everyone around him was the main reason behind BCCI's decision. Hardik made his return to the MI camp after two successful years of staying with Gujarat Titans, where he won the title in their maiden season and finished as the runner-up in the second one. However, his return to MI was not so wholesome as he was constantly facing backlash from fans and even MI finished at the bottom of the table with only four wins in their 14 matches. There were also constant rumours of groupism and rift inside the MI dressing room.
“Well, both are exceptional players. They bring different things to the party. Suryakumar Yadav is probably one of the better T20 batters going around and the way he plays it, he obviously has to see and read the game like no one else. Hardik has also shown that. But I reckon with how the IPL went and whereas Hardik couldn't really gain the respect of everyone around him, might have prompted BCCI to look in a different direction. It's about getting everyone to gel and keeping everyone calm and happy so that you can pull in the one direction. I'm not saying that wouldn't have happened under Hardik, but I guess, at this particular moment, it was a good opportunity and it's a great opportunity for Suryakumar to showcase what he can do and make it his own,” said Russel Arnold in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak arranged by Sony Sports Network.
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