BCCI's decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I skipper instead of Hardik Pandya despite the all-rounder 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 decision. However, former Indian player and World Cup winner K Srikkanth believes that could not be the reason for snubbing the MI captain of that post. He said that it could potentially be because of the feedback of the dressing room towards Pandya.
Ajit Agarkar reveals reason for not picking Hardik Pandya as T20I captain
Agarkar said that fitness has been a challenge for the premium all-rounder Hardik Pandya. However, he acknowledged how crucial an asset Hardik is to the team. He was ruled out for months after an ankle injury during the league stage of the ODI World Cup 2023 and even in the past, he has had his fair share of problems with injuries.
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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," Agarkar said in the press conference before IND vs SL series.
"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," he added.
K Srikkanth disagrees with Ajit Agarkar
K Srikkanth believes Hardik Pandya's fitness could not be the reason behind snubbing him from captaincy. He also demanded BCCI to rather be more straightforward and tell the all-rounder that they have decided to move forward.
"I think they have gone from the feedback of the dressing room. It must have probably been from the IPL. Fitness is something that I will not agree. He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That's another issue. Mumbai Indians didn't qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well. So, fitness is something that I won't agree with," said K Srikkanth on his YouTube channel
"Suryakumar is a fantastic person. I like him. So is Hardik. But the reasons that they are giving They could have said it in a straightforward manner 'we are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long term'. Make it clear. Say it without fear," he added.
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