According to a source, all-rounder Hardik Pandya would most likely captain India in the next T20I series against Sri Lanka, which is set to begin on January 3 in Mumbai. The series’ second and third games will be played in Pune (January 5) and Rajkot, respectively (January 7). It is acknowledged that Rohit Sharma’s thumb injury may require further healing time. However, it is unclear if Rohit would give up his position as T20 captain or if the issue will be postponed for the time being.
There hasn’t been a formal announcement yet, but it has been obvious since India’s T20 World Cup semi-final exit in Australia that there will be a change of guard once the new selection committee takes over. It can also be established that the Apex Council meeting did not debate India’s T20 captaincy, despite rumors to the contrary.
“The matter wasn’t even on the Apex Council agenda and it wasn’t discussed on the forum. Only the selection committee can take a call on captaincy,” a BCCI official privy to the development told PTI on the condition of anonymity. But India’s T20 organization might be completely redesigned, and all-rounder Hardik, who has proven his leadership skills for the Gujarat Titans, is seen as the perfect successor.
Even though Rohit has a dislocated thumb and a webbing issue, he will be working hard to be ready for the Sri Lanka series. Due to the 50-over World Cup, there are only six T20Is per year, and since Rohit is not part of the plan for the T20 World Cup in 2024, it is certain that he may choose to forgo those matches unless he decides to abandon the format completely. A former office-holder from the BCCI made a proposition to President Roger Binny and Secretary Jay Shah.
“The first T20I is at the Wankhede, which is Rohit’s home ground. Why don’t the selectors and the BCCI secretary (Shah) give him a farewell T20 match and there is a graceful changeover of the leadership baton?” he suggested. However, in the case of ODIs, Hardik’s fitness and the workload management will be scrutinized before he is thrown into the deep end.
