"Not Able To Understand": World Cup-Winning Star Blasts Reasoning Behind Hardik Pandya's Captaincy Snub

26.07.2024 - 05:23 sports.ndtv.com

Former cricketer Kris Srikkanth showered praise on star India batter Suryakumar Yadav and said that he has the qualities to lead the Men in Blue.

India has named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of their men's T20I team for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the T20I and ODI sides.

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Srikkanth said that Suryakumar can prove himself to be a good captain in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. "Feedback from the dressing room?

I am not able to understand that. Yes, Suryakumar has the qualities to be captain. I agree to that. He could prove to be a very good captain.

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Former Team India fielding coach R Sridhar has stated that Suryakumar Yadav checks several boxes and, therefore, was made captain in the T20I format. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024 win, many expected Hardik Pandya - who was vice-captain at the tournament - to inherit captaincy. However, new head coach Gautam Gambhir chose Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the side in the shortest format. Sridhar suggested that Suryakumar's bond with players in the dressing room has been a big plus in helping him win captaincy.

Hardik Pandya Says This On Suryakumar Yadav's Captaincy As Gautam Gambhir Gives Epic Speech. Watch

Newly appointed India head coach, Gautam Gambhir began his career in the new role with a 3-0 T20I series triumph against Sri Lanka. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy received its due credit in the post-series dressing room speech given by head coach Gambhir while all-rounder Hardik Pandya also had some special words for his Mumbai Indians teammate. The comments from Gambhir and Hardik were shared by the BCCI in a video published on social media.

"Fitness An Excuse": Ex-Pakistan Captain Slams BCCI Over Hardik Pandya Captaincy Snub

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was denied the leadership role as Team India made a shock captaincy pick in Suryakumar Yadav for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Hardik's snub and Suryakumar's elevation as captain has sparked a big debate in the cricketing fraternity. Over the past couple of years, Hardik led India in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, and was also assigned the vice-captaincy for the recently concluded T20 World Cup, which India won after beating South Africa in the final in Barbados.

"Us Against The World": Jasprit Bumrah Breaks Silence On Hardik Pandya-Rohit Sharma Captaincy Row

The IPL 2024 was marred with controversies when it comes to Mumbai Indians. The franchise decided to appoint Hardik Pandya as the captain in place of Rohit Sharma ahead of the new season - a decision that did not go down well with a section of the fanbase. As MI failed to perform well on the ground, Hardik faced a lot of criticism and he was even booed by some fans at the Wankhede Stadium. However, things completely changed after Hardik played a major role in guiding India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title. In a recent interaction, India and Mumbai Indians fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah opened up regarding the entire controversy and said that although things were bad, the team support Hardik in the tough times.

"Couldn't Gain Respect": IPL Show Led To Hardik Pandya's India Captaincy Snub, Ex- Sri Lanka Star Explains

Hardik Pandya has been going through a tough time in the past one year since the time he was made the captain of IPL side Mumbai Indians. After he replaced Rohit Sharma as the skipper of Mumbai Indians, Pandya was booed at most stadiums where the side played at the IPL 2024. After the T20 World Cup 2022, he was deemed to take over as the T20 captaincy but instead Rohit was made the skipper for the 2024 edition. Post the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was the vice-captain, Pandya was expected to take over the captaincy again as Rohit announced retirement.

"Was Shocked To See His...": SRH Star Reveals Hardik Pandya's Message During 2024 T20 World Cup

Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy said that he admires star India batter Virat Kohli and former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers. Nitish was called-up to the Indian squad after a solid Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with SRH, for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Though he could not play due to a sports hernia injury, he has created an impression strong enough to be considered for future series with a 'Emerging Player of the Season' award worthy performance in this year's IPL, scoring 303 runs in 11 innings with two fifties at a strike rate of 143 and taking three wickets with his seam bowling.