The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee members are currently divided over appointing Hardik Pandya as the permanent T20I captain due to fitness concerns. However, his history of serious injuries during an eight year international career has raised question marks over his dependability as a leader despite playing a key role in India’s ICC jinx breaker at recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Pandya has entirely withdrawn from Test cricket due to his health issues.This move has made BCCI reluctant to name him as captain since he could miss crucial series on many occasions.
“It is very delicate. There are two sides to every story, so no one agrees on this issue either. Although Hardik’s fitness is a concern, it was instrumental in breaking India’s ICC jinx,” a top BCCI source told. Consequently, Suryakumar Yadav has come up as strong contender for T20I captain. Currently being called No 1 batsman for India in T20Is after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired, Yadav showed leadership skills while captaining against Australia at home after ODI WC and also during the subsequent series against South Africa.
“Our team feedback on Suryakumar was that his way of captaincy was well received within the dressing room,” another source added.
New head coach Gautam Gambhir will have great influence on final decision about T20I captaincy. Suryakumar Yadav was coached by Gambhir when he was leading Kolkata Knight Riders in Indian Premier League.
The first selection meeting with Gambhir scheduled for this week leaves BCCI and Ajit Agarkar led selection committee time constrained. Gambhir will hold discussions regarding this topic with the selectors before squad announcements for Sri Lanka’s upcoming ODI and T20I series.
The era of Gambhir will begin with the Sri Lanka tour in Indian cricket. This is envisaged to provide a clear path for India’s T20I team moving forward.
