The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the Sri Lanka T20Is raised eyebrows, as many expected Hardik Pandya to take over the role. However, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Hardik’s injury concerns and workload management prompted the board to look beyond him.
Agarkar also highlighted Suryakumar’s leadership abilities and positive feedback from players as factors in his appointment. Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha believes the selectors considered Suryakumar’s maturity and experience, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.
Ojha also pointed out the connection between Suryakumar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He believes their understanding and trust played a role in Suryakumar’s selection.
While Hardik’s fitness issues were a concern, Ojha praised Suryakumar’s street-smartness and ability to handle pressure. He believes Suryakumar is the best choice for the captaincy role, given his experience and leadership qualities.
The decision to appoint Suryakumar as captain has sparked discussions about the future of Hardik Pandya in the T20I setup. However, the BCCI has made it clear that Hardik remains an integral part of the team and will continue to play a key role in the future.
