Gujarat Titans (GT) head coach Ashish Nehra made the headlines after he shared his views on the announcement of new T20I captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Rohit Sharma called it quits from T20Is after India’s title triumph in T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados.
Hardik Pandya who served as the vice-captain in the marquee event was considered the natural successor after Rohit Sharma’s exit from T20Is. For the record, Hardik Pandya also led the team in T20Is in Rohit Sharma’s absence back then. Nevertheless, the BCCI appointed Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain.
Meanwhile, the former Indian paceman, Ashish Nehra was not surprised by the Indian management’s decision to not appoint Hardik Pandya as the T20I skipper. Nehra is of the notion that despite not being named captain, Hardik will remain an important player in Team India’s white-ball scheme of things.
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Ashish Nehra shares his views on Hardik Pandya’s T20I captaincy snub
Having joined hands with Hardik Pandya during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons at GT, Nehra acknowledged the Indian think tank’s logic, considering Hardik’s injury concerns. He supported the board’s decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain to ensure the team has a leader who can be a regular feature.
“No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup. But at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir’s) ideas are toward that direction,” Nehra told SportsTak.
“I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that’s good. He is playing one format, 50-over also, he is playing less. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket,” he further echoed.
Hardik Pandya will be next seen in action in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The first T20I will get underway on July 27, Saturday. All three matches will be held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
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