Will Hardik Pandya be the captain of the Indian team?

Following the recent retirement of T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma, Indian cricket is faced with a tough decision. The question arises - should they promote vice-captain Hardik Pandya to the captaincy role or give the leadership responsibility to top batsman Suryakumar Yadav? This decision needs to be made quickly as India is set to play 3 T20I matches against Sri Lanka at the end of this month, which will also mark the debut series for new coach and former India opener Gautam Gambhir. Following the T20Is, India will also play 3 ODIs.

While Pandya played a crucial role in India's victory against South Africa in Barbados last year, his fitness concerns have brought Suryakumar into consideration for the captaincy. Gambhir's opinion will also hold weight as BCCI officials and selectors deliberate on Rohit's replacement.

After India's disappointment in the 2022 T20 World Cup under Rohit, the selectors had initially planned to appoint Pandya as the captain for the shorter format. However, due to his frequent injuries, the decision was revisited. When the new selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, took charge, they reinstated Rohit as the captain for the T20 World Cup. Subsequently, Suryakumar successfully led the team during India's ODI World Cup campaign in Rohit and Pandya's absence.

The situation is complex, as both Pandya and Suryakumar have their merits. Pandya's past contributions and leadership skills are weighed against concerns about his fitness. On the other hand, feedback from the team indicates that Suryakumar's captaincy style is well-received in the dressing room.

It is worth noting that Suryakumar had recently undergone surgery earlier this year and made a comeback during the IPL. The board members are inclined towards Pandya due to his experience as the vice-captain during the World Cup. Additionally, Pandya has opted out of the ODI squad for the Lanka tour due to personal reasons.

During these discussions, Gambhir has encouraged senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah to participate in the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka before taking a break. The final decision rests on the players, with Rohit and Kohli currently spending time with their families.