Dinesh Karthik said he cannot a find as to why Hardik Pandya lost the vice-captain’s role in limited-overs formats. (BCCI)
Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik is perplexed that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is not an automatic vice-captaincy pick for the white-ball formats anymore.
When India recently announced a near full-strength T20I side for the upcoming five-match series against England, Hardik was snubbed of the deputy’s role to skipper Suryakumar Yadav. Instead, spin all-rounder Axar Patel was promoted as the new T20I vice-captain of the side. India had not named a vice-captain for their last two T20I assignments in South Africa and against Bangladesh at home last September. In his first stint as captain in Sri Lanka, Suryakumar was assisted by Shubman Gill who has since lost his spot in the T20I set-up.
The decision to hand over captaincy to Suryakumar came as a surprise since Pandya led the Indian T20 side post the 2022 World Cup in Australia, and was expected to do so for the 2024 T20 World Cup till he injured his ankle during the 50-over World Cup in October 2023. Pandya made his comeback in March when he led Mumbai Indians in the IPL, but by then, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar had made up its mind to retain Rohit for another ICC tournament. Pandya was part of the victorious team and made key contributions with both bat and ball.
The Indian Express had reported last year that, that Pandya’s dodgy fitness record was the main concern for the selection committee, and they felt that Suryakumar was the better option going ahead despite him being 33 years of age.
However, not being considered a deputy to Suryakumar has surprised Karthik. In 16 T20Is under his leadership, Pandya steered India to 11 T20I triumphs, winning three of the four series he as incharge.
“I really don’t know. I don’t know why he (Hardik) was stripped of his vice-captaincy. I don’t see any reason to. They have done well. They have won in the bilaterals that he was the vice-captain. Not a clue,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
It is uncertain whether Pandya would retain the role for the forthcoming ODIs and the Champions Trophy despite an injury cloud hanging over pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.
India and England will open the T20I campaign at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 22.
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