Hardik Pandya’s captaincy woes have continued since his appointment as Mumbai Indians skipper in 2024. Despite being touted as a potential T20 captain for India, Pandya has faced setbacks and criticism.
After a disappointing IPL season, where he was booed by fans, Pandya was overlooked for the T20 captaincy in favor of Rohit Sharma. Post the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he served as vice-captain, Pandya was again expected to take over the reins. However, Suryakumar Yadav was surprisingly named T20I skipper for the Sri Lanka Tour.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar attributed the decision to Pandya’s injury concerns. However, former Sri Lankan player Russell Arnold believes there may be more to the story.
“Hardik couldn’t really gain the respect of everyone around him,” Arnold told Sports Tak. “It’s about getting everyone to gel and keeping everyone calm and happy so that you can pull in the one direction.”
Arnold suggests that Pandya’s inability to command respect within the team may have influenced the BCCI’s decision. He also highlights the impressive form of Suryakumar Yadav, who is considered one of the best T20 batters in the world.
“It’s a great opportunity for Suryakumar to showcase what he can do and make it his own,” Arnold added.
Pandya’s captaincy struggles have raised questions about his leadership abilities. While he is an exceptional player, his inability to inspire and unite his team has been a concern. The BCCI’s decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as T20I skipper is a clear indication that they are looking for a different direction.
It remains to be seen whether Pandya can regain the trust of the BCCI and the Indian cricket team. His injury concerns and leadership challenges will need to be addressed if he wants to fulfill his potential as a captain.
