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Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are currently vying for the position of Team India’s new T20I captain, following the retirement of former captain Rohit Sharma from T20Is after leading the team to victory in the T20 World Cup last month. The BCCI has yet to officially announce who will succeed Rohit.
Previously, Hardik Pandya seemed to be the frontrunner for the role, having led the team in Rohit’s absence last year and serving as vice-captain during the T20 World Cup, where his stellar performance with both bat and ball was instrumental in India’s success. Pandya’s exceptional all-round display, which saw him score 144 runs at an average of 48 and claim 11 wickets, even propelled him to the No. 1 spot among T20I all-rounders in ICC rankings.
However, Suryakumar Yadav has now emerged as a strong contender and is reportedly the favored choice to succeed Rohit. Reports suggest that one of the key factors influencing this preference is concerns over Pandya’s fitness record. According to the Times of India, it appears likely that Suryakumar Yadav will be appointed as India’s new T20I captain.
The decision reportedly has the backing of newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and former captain Rohit himself, with the choice already communicated to Pandya by Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Suryakumar Yadav boasts an impressive record in T20Is.
Suryakumar Yadav has cemented his role as a pivotal figure in India’s T20I squad since his debut in 2021. Renowned for his robust batting style, the Mumbai batsman has been a cornerstone of India’s T20 batting lineup.
In his T20I career spanning 68 matches, Yadav has amassed an impressive 2340 runs at an average of 43.33 and a striking rate of 167.74. His proficiency is underscored by the four centuries he has notched up in this format. Beyond his batting prowess, Yadav has also showcased his leadership acumen, having captained India in seven matches, out of which India emerged victorious in five.
With such credentials, it appears increasingly likely that Suryakumar Yadav will be appointed as the captain for India, particularly as the BCCI prepares to announce the squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The tour includes three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka, setting the stage for Yadav to potentially take on a new leadership role for his country.
