NEW DELHI: The national selectors have opted for stability as they announced Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain and handing over the vice-captaincy to Shubman Gill in both T20Is and ODIs for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month. Hardik Pandya was relieved of vice-captaincy in both formats.
The selectors have also convinced Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who recently announced their retirements from T20I cricket, to travel to Sri Lanka for the three ODIs.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has been firm on its stand of having a stable leadership for the white-ball teams. It was reported on Jul 17 that Agarkar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir had conveyed their thoughts to Hardik who was expected to assume full-time T20I captaincy. It is learnt that Surya’s performance as a captain will be monitored over the course of next year and the appointment will be reviewed going into the T20 World Cup in 2026.
“The selectors and Gambhir have been very clear with their plans. With Hardik being prone to injuries, they felt that it would be wise to have someone who is focused on just the T20 format. Gambhir thinks very highly of Surya’s game awareness,” a BCCI source told TOI.
It was also felt that the stalwarts like Rohit, Kohli and Bumrah needed to be in the team environment more with the ICC Champions Trophy being about six months away. Bumrah however, has been rested to manage his work load. Kuldeep Yadav has also been rested for the T20Is. “Gambhir will not have many ODIs before going for the ICC Champions Trophy in Feb. He too feels the need for steady leadership,” the source said.
GROOMING FUTURE LEADER
In giving Gill vice-captaincy in both formats over Hardik and KL Rahul, the selectors have sent clear signals that they are looking to groom a young player to take over the reins after Rohit. Rahul’s leadership has come under fire when he led India in a few matches and also at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
The team management feels that the planning for the 2026 ODI World Cup needs to start now and hence the transition needs to be carried out at the earliest. TOI also understands that the selectors are giving Rishabh Pant a greater role in the leadership group across formats.
JADEJA MISSING FROM ODIS
Interestingly, Ravindra Jadeja, who too announced his T20I retirement after the T20 World Cup, has not been named in the ODI squad. While no official reason has been given for it, sources say that the selectors and team management feel that it is time to find alternatives for Jadeja.
Jadeja’s batting has not been up to the mark in white-ball cricket for a while. With Axar Patel evolving as a potent replacement, Washington Sundar has been named in both squads.
PARAG IN BOTH TEAMS, NO PLACE FOR ABHISHEK
In another interesting call, Riyan Parag has been named in both teams while Abhishek Sharma has missed out. TOI understands that the selectors feel Parag could develop into an impact batter.
Parag made his T20I debut in Zimbabwe this month but failed to make a mark. However, his stellar performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy followed by the IPL could not be ignored.
SHREYAS IYER BACK
Shreyas Iyer, who lost his central contract earlier this year for missing out on domestic cricket, has been drafted back into the squad. Iyer has been a consistent batter in ODIs for some years now.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah, however, left a rider in the media statement on Wednesday: “The BCCI will continue to monitor player availability and participation in the upcoming domestic cricket season, 2024-25.”
Source Agencies
