Hardik Pandya's removal from India leadership role questioned, Mumbai Indians dragged into matter

Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has called for clarity on Hardik Pandya's leadership role in the Indian cricket team. After India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in June, Hardik was expected to succeed Rohit Sharma as the T20I captain following the latter’s retirement.

In Rohit Sharma’s absence, Hardik Pandya was the man to lead India in the T20I cricket. The all-rounder had a great stint, winning five out of six T20I games as India captain. But in the last minute, the BCCI appointed Suryakumar Yadav as India’s new T20I captain for the Sri Lanka series.

Aakash Chopra calls for clarity on Hardik Pandya's role in the Indian cricket team

Recently, Axar Patel was appointed vice-captain for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, raising questions about why Hardik is no longer considered for leadership. However, the Indian all-rounder is still part of the T20I squad for the upcoming home series against England.

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Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra questioned why Hardik Pandya is being ignored for the leadership roles in the Indian cricket team. Highlighting his performance both as a player and captain, Chopra said he is confident that Hardik will surely play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

What has happened with Hardik Pandya?: Aakash Chopra to BCCI

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel: “What has happened with Hardik Pandya? Nobody is thinking or talking about him. What exactly has happened with him? He will definitely go to the Champions Trophy. He brings that balance. He had an exceptional T20 World Cup. He is the captain of the Mumbai Indians. He led India in the 6 T20I series and won five out of them. When Rohit wasn't available, Hardik used to be the captain.”

Furthermore, the cricket pundit has expressed his shock at what exactly happened that Hardik Pandya was completely out of the captaincy radar, as he is not even the vice-captain anymore. He stressed that it is unfair to judge Hardik after one bad IPL season as the Mumbai Indians captain.

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Aakash Chopra further explained, “Suddenly, what has happened? He is not even the vice-captain. He is not being talked about. Mumbai Indians had a bad reason, but you cannot blame Hardik for that. Even if the performance and his captaincy were bad, it has nothing to do with Indian cricket.”

Aakash Chopra says Indian captaincy does not depend on IPL performance

The former India batter also noted that the Indian team captaincy is not decided on the basis of IPL captaincy, so it is beyond his understanding what is happening with Pandya. Chopra believes that there should be clarity regarding whether Hardik can be considered for captaincy going ahead, as the Indian cricket team is likely to have three different captains in the future.

Chopra signed off by saying, “The Indian team captaincy is not decided on the basis of franchise captaincy. If this was the case, the matter would have been different. There have been so many captains who led India despite their franchise doing nothing in the IPL. It is looking like we are heading towards different captains in all three formats. Hardik is not even the vice-captain, and it is a bit surprising.”