BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed that fitness concerns regarding Hardik Pandya forced the selection panel and the team management to not elevate him as captain of the Indian men's cricket team in the shortest format of the game.
Hardik was the designated vice-captain of Team India during their successful ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign and was seen as next in line for captaincy after Rohit Sharma called time on his T20I career following India's triumph in the Caribbean.
"Regarding Hardik, he's still a very important player for us. Fitness has obviously been a challenge for him... Then it becomes difficult for the coach or selectors... Fitness is a clear challenge and we want someone who is available more often than not....Having said that, we believe Surya has the qualities necessary to be a captain.....," Agarkar told reporters during a press conference on Monday, July 22.
Agarkar also told the reporters that the selectors have already spoken to Pandya regarding the change in his role and that he continues to be an integral part of the team despite the captaincy snub.
"We also feel we can manage Hardik better, we've seen what he can do with the bat and ball in the World Cup... We speak to every player, whether their role has changed. And yeah we've spoken to him...," he added.
The selectors and the team management have instead reposed their faith in Suryakumar Yadav and are looking at him as someone who could lead India's title defence at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Suryakumar will be leading India against Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, starting July 27. This will be Suryakumar's third T20I series as in-charge of Team India. He previously led India in a home series against Australia and in an away series against South Africa.
