Suryakumar Yadav is heading the Indian team for the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka under the mentorship of coach Gautam Gambhir, and India is currently leading the series with 2-0. According to many speculations, people were thinking that Hardik Pandya would become the captain of the Indian team for the T20I series.
Former Captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from this format of cricket, but Hardik was not given a chance by the selection committee led by Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, and the reason was justified as Hardik would not be able to be available for all the matches due to his health issues and fitness concerns.
Pandya even opted out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which is going to be held next month, because of personal reasons and fitness concerns. This issue may raise concerns in the selection committee for the Champions Trophy.
Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri raised the same concern about Hardik Pandya that his fitness issue may become a problem for him, but even expressed that his outstanding performance in the recent T20I World Cup will help him stand in the future selection of the upcoming matches. In a recent interview, BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said that the selectors were looking for a player who could be consistent in playing matches for India, and after viewing Hardik's injury history, he would not become the perfect choice for the captaincy position.
Hardik has led the Indian team several times in T20Is and ODI matches in the absence of Captain Rohit Sharma, and he was even the Vice-Captain in the T20I World Cup 2024.
Speaking in the latest edition of The ICC Review, Ravi Shastri opened up his point of view over Hardik Pandya, saying, “I think it's very important that he continues to play; I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well.”
“But then again, bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in which you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well,” he continued while speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan.
“So I think it's up to him; more than anything else, he understands his body better than anyone. And I'm sure this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup and the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should get him going. He shouldn't need any motivation to get his fitness right there.” Shastri reassured that the way Hardik Pandya has performed in the T20I World Cup matches, especially in the crucial overs of the finals, is enough for him to motivate himself for the upcoming matches.