Shoaib Akhtar, the former fast bowler from Pakistan, recently shared his views on the potential transition phase in Indian cricket. He emphasized the significant role Hardik Pandya might play in the respectful phasing out of veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Akhtar drew parallels with past transitions in Indian cricket, such as when MS Dhoni handled the phase-out of Sachin Tendulkar and later, when Kohli managed Dhoni's transition.
"I'm maybe putting pressure on Hardik Pandya through this but he needs to give that respect to Rohit and Kohli. He is on the team because of them. The kind of favours he has got in the team from them should be repaid. And they are legends of Indian cricket, so they should be given due respect before they are let go," Akhtar told Zee News.
Akhtar pointed out that India has historically shown utmost respect during such transitions. This perspective becomes relevant considering that neither Rohit nor Kohli have participated in a T20 International since India's semi-final defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Since then, Hardik Pandya has assumed captaincy in the shortest format.
"When Dhoni came, he gave respect to Sachin Tendulkar. When Virat came, he respected Dhoni. When Rohit replaced Virat, he also gave him respect. So, now it's up to Hardik Pandya how he wants to send these two great players off. It's up to him now to put his put down. And he has to bid them goodbye respectfully. They deserve this respect," added Akhtar.
Following India's recent ODI World Cup final loss to Australia, the Indian cricket team is likely to undergo significant changes. The next 50-over World Cup, set for 2027, raises questions about the involvement of Rohit and Kohli, who will be 40 and 39 years old, respectively, by then.
In the meantime, Hardik Pandya, who has been a key player for India, is currently recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during a World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. Consequently, Suryakumar Yadav, India's vice-captain in T20Is, has stepped up to lead the team in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia. Given Pandya's ongoing recovery, Yadav is also expected to captain the team in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, which begins on December 10 in Durban.
Akhtar's comments reflect the ongoing evolution of the Indian cricket team, highlighting the importance of leadership and the respectful transition of players as the team looks forward to future challenges and tournaments. This transition, guided by emerging leaders like Pandya and Yadav, will be crucial in shaping the next era of Indian cricket.
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