BCCI makes a final call on Hardik Pandya's candidature for India's next T20I captain

The Indian National Cricket Team secured a 4-1 victory over the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team under Shubman Gill's captaincy in the recently concluded series. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which will confirm Hardik Pandya's future as the permanent T20I captain.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rested Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant for the recent Zimbabwe series to give them a break following their T20 World Cup 2024 victory. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the shorter international format.

India will tour Sri Lanka for a white-ball series, comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs. This will be Gautam Gambhir's first assignment as head coach. The tour will begin with the first T20I in Pallekele on July 27, and the remaining matches will be played at the same venue on July 28 and 30, respectively.

Hardik Pandya To Lead Team India In T20I Series - Report

As per a report in CricketNext, Hardik Pandya is set to captain India for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be named vice-captain. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh, among other players from the T20 World Cup-winning squad, are expected to be included in the team.

Hardik Pandya was vice-captain during the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). Pandya led the Gujarat Titans (GT) to their maiden title as skipper in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. However, he faced significant challenges in his recent stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI).

The star all-rounder's successful stint with the IPL franchise earned him the chance to become captain of the national team. The 30-year-old cricketer has led the India cricket team in 16 T20Is, securing 10 victories and one tie. Additionally, Pandya has captained the Men in Blue in three ODIs, winning two of those matches.

Hardik Pandya Can Be The Ideal Candidate - Former India Selector

Former India selector Saba Karim said the selectors and head coach must determine whether Hardik Pandya can lead effectively and continue the team's progress. Karm added that Hardik is the ideal candidate to lead the T20I side, given his experience as vice-captain.

"As far as I feel, the discussion will be about who will take the team forward in T20Is, and who is the most suitable candidate. As I said, since Hardik Pandya has been the vice-captain, he should be made if you see logically, but in the end, the selectors and head coach will have to think whether he can take the team forward as a captain," Karim said.

"If the selectors feel Hardik Pandya has played a fantastic role and can do the same as a captain as well, he can definitely be the ideal candidate. So I feel these are the two contenders," he added.

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