Former India fast bowler and Gujarat Titans head coach, Ashish Nehra, shared his insights on the Indian management’s decision not to appoint Hardik Pandya as the new T20I captain. Ashish Nehra expressed that he was not surprised by the decision, understanding the thought process of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly-appointed coach Gautam Gambhir in choosing Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I skipper.
Transition in Leadership
Hardik Pandya, who led India in T20Is in 2023, served as Rohit Sharma’s deputy during the victorious World Cup campaign in June in the USA and the West Indies. While many expected Hardik to replace Rohit as T20I captain following Rohit’s retirement from the format, the BCCI announced Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain for the upcoming three-match series in Sri Lanka.
Ajit Agarkar, speaking to the press, mentioned that the team management wanted Hardik Pandya to focus on his fitness. Agarkar backed Suryakumar to excel in his new role, citing Hardik’s recurring injury concerns that have sidelined him frequently over the past four to five years.
Nehra’s Perspective
Ashish Nehra, in an interview with SportsTak, stated, “No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup, but at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir’s) ideas are toward that direction.”
Nehra further elaborated, “I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that’s good. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have four fast bowlers; he brings a different balance to the side. Keep in mind, there’s no impact player in international cricket.”
Ashish Nehra also pointed out that changes in leadership are common given the number of matches, mentioning, “Not just Hardik Pandya, but when you have so many matches, there will be changes. Even Rishabh Pant has captained, KL Rahul has captained.”
Thrilled for Shubman Gill
Notably, Hardik Pandya achieved success in his first assignment as the captain of an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise in 2022 with the Gujarat Titans, forming a strong working relationship with coach Nehra. The duo led the Titans to victory in IPL 2022 and reached the final in IPL 2023.
Ashish Nehra also welcomed the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs, noting that the Gujarat Titans captain will improve with experience across all three formats. Nehra and Gill worked together as the captain and coach for the Titans in 2024.
Nehra stated, “They have made Shubman Gill in not just one format, but in all three formats. That means you are looking ahead. Shubman Gill is a work in progress. He is 24-25 years old now. He will get better as we go ahead. He has the desire to play all three formats; he has the heart to learn. He is not someone who thinks that whatever he is doing is right. He likes to have discussions and learn.”
Team India’s Preparation
Team India arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday and began training for the upcoming T20I series, starting on July 27. Coach Gambhir and captain Suryakumar oversaw their first training session together in Pallekele.
Emphasis on Fitness and Team Dynamics
The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya also reflects the team’s emphasis on maintaining fitness and managing player workloads. With Pandya’s history of injuries, the management aims to ensure that he can contribute effectively without overburdening him with leadership responsibilities. This strategic move allows Pandya to focus on his game and remain a crucial asset for India’s white-ball cricket while providing Suryakumar an opportunity to showcase his leadership skills.
