Hardik Pandya to make Test comeback for BGT? Lalchand Rajput endorses all-rounder's red-ball return post-captaincy snub

Former Team India cricket manager Lalchand Rajput talked about Hardik Pandya not being given the T20I captaincy of the team. He believes that the all-rounder would be free of any burden now and can contribute to the team even in Test cricket.

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya wasn't given the T20I captaincy when it was expected that he would take the charge. He was part of the leadership group after the T20 World Cup 2022 and even captained the team when Rohit Sharma was rested along with the other seniors of the team.

After Rohit Sharma returned, Hardik Pandya was allocated as the vice-captain of the team. He performed the role in the ICC World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024. With the retirement of the senior batter, it was also certain that the all-rounder would be named as the next captain of the team, especially with him also becoming Mumbai Indians skipper.

But it wasn't the case as Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain, highlighting Hardik Pandya's injury history and workload management as major factors behind him not getting captaincy. He also mentioned that 'dressing room feedback' was taken into consideration to name Suryakumar as captain.

While talking about Hardik Pandya's captaincy snub, Lalchand Rajput said that not being given the captaincy allows him to play red-ball cricket. While highlighting that all-rounder can play freely, he said that Pandya can change the course of the game in all three departments. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he explained:

"I would love to see him in the red-ball cricket. He is a player who can change the course of the game in all three departments. If he could do well in red-ball cricket, that would add value to the team. He's an all-rounder who can come at no.6 and also bowl a couple of overs.

"I think the selectors must have thought in the line with coach, too. The management wants Hardik Pandya to do well. If they release him from captaincy, he can play freely and give his best performance with bat and ball."

Heard the press conference of Ajit Agarkar, he said most of the time he was unfit - Lalchand Rajput on Hardik Pandya

Lalchand Rajput further, while talking about the same, pointed out why Hardik Pandya wasn't named captain. He stated that Suryakumar Yadav will do the job to perfection and will lead the team in the best possible way. He elaborated:

“I heard the press conference of Ajit Agarkar, he said most of the time he was unfit. They need a captain who is fit to play all the games. That must have tilted the favour towards Suryakumar Yadav. SKY has also been a captain of the Mumbai Ranji team and started early in the T20 format. He will lead the team in the best possible way."

Both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav will be next seen in action when India takes on Sri Lanka in the first match of the T20I series, starting 27th July at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.