The process of appointing India’s next T20I captain has hit unexpected hurdles. With Rohit Sharma retiring from T20Is after winning the ICC T20 World Cup, the BCCI hasn’t officially announced his successor. There are murmurs of disagreements among BCCI officials, new head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee.
Initially, Hardik Pandya, India’s vice-captain during the T20 World Cup, seemed the likely successor to Rohit. However, things have shifted, and Suryakumar Yadav, India’s top-ranked T20 batter, is now the frontrunner, backed by Gambhir and Agarkar.
During informal discussions, Gambhir and Agarkar hinted at Suryakumar Yadav as a potential candidate, emphasizing their preference for a captain with minimal workload concerns. While Gambhir didn’t directly propose Suryakumar’s name, his stance was clear due to Suryakumar’s proficiency in T20 cricket.
“A captain should manage workload effectively,” a BCCI official explained, referring to Gambhir’s views.
The selection committee is divided, with some supporting Hardik due to his role as vice-captain during the World Cup victory. However, concerns linger about Hardik’s frequent injuries, including a recent ankle injury that kept him out for six months.
Following the discussions, Gambhir and Agarkar spoke with Hardik to discuss the developments.
Suryakumar Yadav and Gambhir have a history from their time at KKR, where Gambhir mentored Suryakumar. However, Suryakumar has limited experience as a captain, having led in just seven T20Is and never in the IPL. Additionally, at almost 35 years old, his appointment may not guarantee long-term stability.
The final decision on India’s T20I captaincy is expected to be made soon, marking a pivotal moment for Indian cricket leadership.
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