'We Want Captain Hardik' Trends Amid Reports Of Suryakumar Yadav Becoming T20I Skipper Ahead Of Hardik Pandya

18.07.2024 - 06:06 sports.ndtv.com

There has been a lot of chatter surrounding the appointment of Indian cricket team's next T20I skipper after Rohit Sharma retired from the format following the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.

While the expectation was that vice-captain Hardik Pandya will succeed Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a strong contender in the past couple of days.

Media reports claimed that Hardik's fitness issues have become a hindrance in the eyes of the team management and Suryakumar can be picked as the one to lead the side in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.

However, following the reports, 'We want captain Hardik' started trending on X (formerly Twitter) with many fans expressing their support for the all-rounder.

cricket Sri Lanka Cricket Team India Cricket Team Rohit Sharma Hardik Pandya Gautam Gambhir Suryakumar Yadav Australia Zimbabwe India Sri Lanka

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.

"This Is The Template We Want": Suryakumar Yadav After Win vs Sri Lanka In 2nd T20I

After facile victories on successive days, India's new T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav was clear that positive intent and fearless approach will be the template of his team going forward in the shortest format. India clinched the T20I series against Sri Lanka with wins by 43 runs on Saturday and seven wickets on Sunday here and the skipper was bullish about his team's philosophy. "We spoke about this before the start of the tournament - what brand of cricket we want to play. This is the template we want to go ahead with," said Suryakumar, who has been phenomenal as usual with the willow on both the days.

"I Don't Want To Be Captain, I Want To...": Suryakumar Yadav Makes Bold Statement

India captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose captaincy skills were on display during the first T20I against Sri Lanka, stated that he wants to classify himself as a leader and not as a captain. When Sri Lanka's opening duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis inflicted carnage in Pallekele, the 214-run total started turning into a comfortable chase for the hosts. Sri Lanka raced to 84/0 in the ninth over and looked well set to spoil the beginning of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar's era.

"Mastered That Skill": Ex-India Coach On Suryakumar Yadav Becoming T20I Captain

The decision to elevate star batter Suryakumar Yadav into the leadership role has garnered much attention, especially with Hardik Pandya being snubbed of the same job. The decision to snub Hardik for the leadership role came as a shock to many. Over the past few years, Hardik has led Team India in T20Is in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, and was also his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign last month. While addressing the debate at a press conference, India chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised that the decision to name Suryakumar the captain was taken considering the fitness aspect in mind.

"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.

KKR Connection Behind Suryakumar Yadav Becoming India's T20I Captain? Ex-India Star's Big Take

It came as a surprise for everybody when the Board of Control for Cricket in India named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for Sri Lanka T20Is, preferring the top-order batter over Hardik Pandya. Star all-rounder Hardik was the vice-captain of the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team. He looked all set to take over the captaincy role in the format after Rohit Sharma callled time on his T20I career, but the management went ahead with Surya instead. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Hardik's consistent injuries, his workload management were the reasons that pushed the board to look beyond him for the captaincy role.