During a training session in Pallekele net ahead of Saturday’s first T20I which serves as the opener of India’s tour of Sri Lanka, the all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen practicing leg spin in Anil Kumble style.
Lucknow Super Giants – an Indian Premier League franchise put up an image of Hardik bowling leg-spin and another action photo of Kumble in his delivery stride to depict their similar styles. Fresh from his exploits that helped India win the T20 World Cup last month and a break from touring Zimbabwe, Hardik will want to get back onto the field in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, unlike during the T20 World Cup, he won’t be serving as vice-captain on this occasion.
After Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav has not only bee handed over captaincy but also Shubman Gill has replaced Hardik as the vice-captain for both T20Is and ODIs by BCCI. But Rohit will still lead them through 50 overs.
India will play three T20Is and three ODIs during its tour to Sri Lanka.
The reason behind BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision to not make him the T20I captain was based on his recent injury woes, according to what he said.
In addition to making a successful comeback in terms of form during the T20 World Cup after a terrible season with Mumbai Indians where he captained them; Hardik went through a hard time due to breakup with Natasa Stankovic his wife.
But he appears energetic throughout his training sessions while on tour in Sri Lanka and would like to continue playing at the same level as he did during the final match of ICC Men’sT20 World Cup against South Africa where he got three wickets turning around fortunes for India leading them from behind with seven runs ahead.
Gautam Gambhir has taken charge as India’s head coach in place of Rahul Dravid since after the T20 World Cup last month.
