Yadav set as India captain over Pandya; Gambhir explains decision

Suryakumar Yadav is set as India’s captain over Hardik Pandya, even as coach Gautam Gambhir explains the decision.

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YADAV SET AS NEW INDIA T201 CAPTAIN OVER PANDYA

Furthermore, Yadav is set to be named as the new India Twenty20 International (T20I) captain over Pandya, multiple reports said.

Moreover, the retirements of outgoing captain Rohit Sharma and fellow veterans Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from the T20I format prompted Gambhir to make a decision.

Yadav was named in time for India’s T20I series against Sri Lanka set from July 27 to 30 in Paliekele.

On the other hand, the team will also play the One Day International (ODI) format series in Colombo from August 2 to 7.

Gambhir is expected to name the composition of the Yadav-led team in the next couple of days.

GAMBHIR EXPLAINS DECISION AS FITNESS CONCERNS HOUND PANDYA

Moreover, Gambhir reportedly explained the decision on the captaincy issue as fitness concerns hound Pandya.

Furthermore, Pandya missed several matches in the past year due to injuries.

This could’ve prompted Gambhir to pick Yadav for the captaincy position.

The decision to choose Yadav for the post may also have to do with the team’s desire to ensure stability, sources said.

On the other hand, Pandya sustained an ankle injury during the 50-over World Cup at home in October-November last year.

Interestingly, injuries had also limited Pandya to just 46 of the 79 T20Is that India plated since the start of 2022.

BCCI SOURCE INSISTS PANDYA ‘FIT AND AVAILABLE’ DESPITE TAKING A BREAK

Furthermore, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source insisted that Pandya is “fit and available.”

This development came despite the cricketer set to take a break.

Pandya will take a break during India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka due to “personal reasons.”

“Hardik’s break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. He doesn’t have any fitness issue as is being suggested in the media,” the BCCI source said.

The BCCI official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Press Trust of India that Pandya was available for India’s three-match T20I series.

However, the source also noted that “there is a very strong feeling that Sky (Yadav) would be the potential leader.”

The official added that Yadav can lead India not just in the Sri Lanka series but also until the 2026 World Cup, the official added.