The cricketing world is abuzz with speculation as Hardik Pandya emerges as a potential candidate to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain. The discussions intensified after Rohit missed the final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), sparking debates about his future in the national team. Indian vice-captain Hardik Pandya led the toss at the SCG, citing Rohit’s decision to “rest.”
However, reports suggest otherwise, indicating that Rohit might have been dropped due to poor form, having scored just 31 runs across the last three Tests. With Rohit, 37, possibly nearing the end of his international career, India could turn to Pandya to lead the team in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Leadership Qualities Set Hardik Apart
Hardik Pandya’s leadership skills and experience as an all-rounder make him a strong contender for the captaincy role. An anonymous BCCI source quoted by MyKhel stated, “Hardik has the knack for leading in high-pressure situations, and his experience as an all-rounder and leader makes him an ideal choice for an ICC tournament like the Champions Trophy.”
The source dismissed other potential candidates like Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. While Gill is seen as a future leader, he reportedly needs more grooming, and Suryakumar’s ODI performances have been inconsistent. This leaves Hardik as the most balanced option to take over if Rohit is unavailable.
Pandya’s Past Captaincy Experience
Pandya has previously led India in three ODIs, securing a memorable five-wicket win against Australia in March 2023 and a mixed performance against the West Indies later that year. Additionally, Pandya captained the Gujarat Giants in the IPL, leading them to a title in 2022 and back-to-back finals.
However, his captaincy stint with the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 ended in disappointment as the team finished at the bottom of the table. Despite this setback, his ability to perform under pressure and his strategic acumen make him a viable candidate for leading the ODI side. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen if Pandya will rise to this pivotal role in Indian cricket.
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