Following the retirement of T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma, Indian cricket faces a pivotal decision. The debate centres on whether to elevate vice-captain Hardik Pandya to the captaincy role or entrust top batsman Suryakumar Yadav with leadership responsibilities. This choice must be made swiftly as India gears up for a series of 3 T20I matches against Sri Lanka later this month, marking the debut series for new coach and former India opener Gautam Gambhir. Following the T20Is, India is scheduled to play 3 ODIs.
Pandya played a pivotal role in India's triumph over South Africa in Barbados last year, yet concerns over his fitness have brought Suryakumar into contention for the captaincy. Gambhir's perspective will carry significant weight as BCCI officials and selectors deliberate on filling Rohit's shoes.
After India's disappointment in the 2022 T20 World Cup under Rohit, selectors initially planned to appoint Pandya as captain for the shorter formats. However, due to his frequent injuries, this decision was reconsidered. Upon the inauguration of the new selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, Rohit was reinstated as captain for the T20 World Cup. Subsequently, Suryakumar admirably led the team during India's ODI World Cup campaign in the absence of both Rohit and Pandya.
The situation is intricate, with both Pandya and Suryakumar boasting their respective strengths. Pandya's past contributions and leadership acumen are counterbalanced by apprehensions regarding his fitness. Conversely, feedback from the team suggests that Suryakumar's captaincy style resonates well in the dressing room.
It is noteworthy that Suryakumar recently underwent surgery earlier this year and made a comeback during the IPL. Board members lean towards Pandya due to his experience as vice-captain during the World Cup. Additionally, Pandya has opted out of the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour due to personal reasons.
Amid deliberations, 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 with the players, with Rohit and Kohli currently spending quality time with their families.