A source from BCCI revealed a startling revelation that Gautam Gambhir hasn’t directly recommended Suryakumar Yadav’s name for India’s T20I skipper but said he wouldn’t like to have a captain who has issues with fitness.
Two players are allegedly in contention to lead Team India in Twenty20 international cricket: Hardik Pandya a right-handed batsman and Suryakumar Yadav – another Right-handed batsman and indeed an explosive cricketer.
The early favourite to succeed Rohit as the Twenty20 international skipper has been Hardik Pandya. While Rohit was out of the T20Is last year, the all-rounder led the team. During the T20 World Cup, he was the vice-captain of the team and also played a big role in India winning the cup.
It is claimed that Suryakumar Yadav is preferred over Pandya due to the latter’s poor fitness standards. It has also been reported by the Times of India to the effect that the game’s shortest format is characterized by the star hitter doubling up as the captain for the Indian combine.
“He made it amply clear ” – BCCI Official on Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir participated in a non-formal Tuesday night call about the future roadmap with the BCCI representatives and the selection committee. According to information obtained, Surya was suggested by Gambhir and Agarkar as a likely successor to Rohit as the T20I captain during that conversation.
It is worth mentioning that Gambhir did not mention Surya by name, but he did express his preference for a captain who does not worry about managing their workload. After Rohit and Kohli retired, it was an obvious choice because Surya is the best batter in the format and a white-ball specialist.
“Although Gambhir did not directly pitch for Surya in the call, he made it amply clear that he would want to work with a captain whose workload does not become a stumbling block. Agarkar was clear with his views,” a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.
According to the report, both former captain Rohit and recently appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir favour Suryakumar over Pandya. Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, the top selector, have already informed Pandya of the decision.
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