Paras Mhambrey opens up on differences between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav after leadership change in India cricket

Paras Mhambrey, the former Team India bowling coach, opened up about the differences between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav after the change in leadership in T20Is. Paras Mhambrey stated that the captaincy change decision was not made randomly, adding that selectors would have communicated.

Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20I cricket after leading the team to glory during the T20 World Cup 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had to find Rohit's successor in T20Is. Many predicted that Hardik Pandya would be named captain, considering his experience as vice-captain.

However, the selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Hardik missed the chance to lead the Indian team due to his past injuries and workload management. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar also clarified the selection in the press conference on Monday.

No Decision Is Just Taken Randomly - Paras Mhambrey

In a conversation with News18, Paras Mhambrey expressed confidence that the new coaching staff and selectors discussed the leadership changes with Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. Mhambrey said that the team management could have communicated the changes so that everyone was aware of them.

"I am sure the new staff has had a conversation with them. Maybe the chairman of the selector has kept them in the loop, saying that this is the way forward. I think no decision is just taken randomly. I don't think just randomly decide that we are going to do it. So, you have that conversation with individuals," Paras Mhambrey said.

"I am sure they have had that conversation with them. So, I think if both parties are aware of why a certain decision the environment shouldn't change because you have already had that conversation," he added.

I Am Sure They Must Have Done It - Paras Mhambrey

Paras Mhambrey said that the new coaching staff needs to define each player's role in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. He added that this ensures everyone understands their place in the India T20I team.

"But as far as the road plan is concerned, I thought the new staff have to decide to drive this. Have that discussion where, what is their future, right? In terms of where do they see this team going forward and where do they fit in. As you said, this conversation is already on. Yeah. So, I think, that's the way I feel that I am sure they must have done it," Mhambrey further stated.

The 52-year-old said that Ajit Agarkar would have individually discussed the decisions with the players, given his working with him in the past. Mhambrey said that decisions were made in the team's best interest. He added that players would understand and there would be no issues regarding leadership changes.

The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, secured a 43-run victory during the first T20I match against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, July 27. The Men in Blue will face Sri Lanka in the second match of the ongoing T20I series at the same venue in Pallekele on Sunday, July 28.

Also read: Suryakumar Yadav equals Virat Kohli's All-Time record beating him by an unimaginable margin