Gautam Gambhir reveals his take on Hardik Pandya taking over as T20I skipper
Gautam Gambhir, Hardik Pandya (Front), Suryakumar Yadav (Back) (Image Credit: Twitter)
Hardik Pandya has been touted as the next India skipper for white-ball formats in the future. Late last year, it was reported that he will be alleviated as India’s T20I skipper this month. It is reported that the move was decided after the team’s semifinal exit in the 20-20 World Cup 2022. Currently, the India all-rounder is leading the team in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, former India opener, Gautam Gambhir is having mixed feeling about the move. He maintained that if the selectors have decided to move on from the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul then it is a good move. Gambhir reasoned Pandya’s certainty in the playing XI. However, the two-time World Cup winner added that if Rohit comes back, then it will be difficult for Pandya to become the captain.
“We have to wait and watch. If actually selectors have moved on from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, then probably yes. When Rohit comes back, it’s gonna be difficult for someone like Hardik to replace him as captain because judging him by just one global tournament, it’s not the right parameter. If selectors have already communicated to Virat, KL Rahul and Rohit, and all those guys. If there’s clear communication, they have moved on from them. Then probably Hardik is the only guy at the moment because he is the only one who actually fits in that playing XI. And then you got Suryakumar as his deputy. So I think, that’s going to be the way forward,” Gambhir told Star Sports.
Hardik Pandya has been brilliant since coming out of the controversy: Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir also spoke about Hardik as a player since his comeback after the 2019 controversy. For the unversed, he gave a controversial interview on Koffee with Karan that got him into trouble. Since then, as Gambhir says, the five-time Indian T20 League winner has done well. The left-hander, Gambhir further mentioned Pandya’s captaincy in the Indian T20 League 2022.
“He has been absolutely brilliant. Since he has come out of that controversy. Since he has taken over as captain of Gujarat, he has won the ITL. He has done everything possible that was asked of him, from the Indian cricket point of view. Looking at the World Cup as well, I think the semi-final when it came to that crunch game, where India was under pressure (62/2 in 10 overs). And then playing that kind of a blinder. I think he has that X-factor. Hopefully, he can try and give that X-factor or courage to other guys as well. This is a very young side, they are fearless, and that is what you want to see in T20I cricket,” Gambhir added.
