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Suryakumar Yadav is set to be named India’s new T20I captain for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, taking over from Hardik Pandya, who has been the vice-captain. This change comes after Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, retired from T20Is following India’s triumph in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last month.
Hardik, who served as Rohit’s deputy during the T20 World Cup, has significant captaincy experience. He has led India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is, and has captained Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. However, fitness issues and workload management appear to have influenced the selectors’ decision against him.
Hardik suffered an ankle injury during the 50-over World Cup at home last October-November and was sidelined until the start of IPL 2024, when he returned to lead Mumbai Indians. Since the beginning of 2022, Hardik has only played in 46 out of 79 T20Is for India.
In contrast, Suryakumar Yadav has captained Mumbai in domestic cricket and recently led India to a 4-1 series win over Australia in a T20I series last November, followed by a 1-1 series draw in South Africa. Suryakumar, often among the first names on the team sheet, has demonstrated his leadership qualities and consistency.
The T20I series in Sri Lanka will be India’s first under new coach Gautam Gambhir, who takes over from Rahul Dravid. This series marks the beginning of India’s preparations for the next T20 World Cup, which India will co-host in 2026.
A young Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, recently returned from Zimbabwe after a 4-1 T20I series win. Only three players from the World Cup-winning squad were part of this team.
The selectors are expected to meet on Wednesday to finalize the squad for the Sri Lanka tour, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs.
Suryakumar, known as ‘SKY’ since his time under Gambhir’s captaincy at Kolkata Knight Riders, has proven his leadership abilities at both domestic and international levels.
Although Hardik was the expected successor to Rohit, several factors have influenced the selectors’ decision. His performance as Mumbai Indians’ skipper was underwhelming, and the selectors want to see him participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for additional 50-over practice.
A senior BCCI source told PTI, “Hardik Pandya was India’s T20 vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and was supposed to lead the side, but there is a strong feeling that SKY would be the potential leader not only for the Sri Lanka series but until the 2026 World Cup.”
For the ODIs, Hardik has requested leave, and Rohit Sharma is also taking a break. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are in contention for the leadership role in the ODI series.
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