‘Hardik Shubhkamnayien’ – Hardik Pandya to take over as captain; Rohit Sharma set to miss the first ODI against Australia

Indian Cricket Board have announced the Indian squad for the remaining two Tests and the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will be unavailable for the first ODI of a three-match series due to family commitments. Hardik Pandya will take over as the captain of the Indian team.

There is no change in the Indian Test squad. India are already 2-0 in a four-match Test series. However, KL Rahul has been removed as the vice-captain of the team, but he still found a place in the Test and ODI squads.

After missing the first ODI, Rohit will join the team for the next two matches. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also made a comeback in the Indian ODI squad after sensational performances in the first two Tests. Meanwhile, Jaydev Unadkat has been called to India’s ODI squad after 10 years.

India have been dominating in the ongoing Test series so far, winning the first Test in Nagpur by an inning and 132 runs, and the second Test in Delhi by 6 wickets. Both matches ended on the third day.

Jadeja was awarded Player of the Match in both games for his all-round game. The leg spinner took 8 wickets in the Nagpur Test including a fifer in the first inning. While the 34-year-old registered his career-best figures of 7/42 in the second innings of the Delhi Test. He also 3 wicket in the first inning.

India’s Test squad for last 2 Tests: Rohit Sharma (Captain), K L Rahul, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

India’s ODI squad against Australia: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, K L Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Jaydev Unadkat.

Note – Rohit Sharma to miss the first ODI due to family commitments.

Here’s a look at how fans reacted to the news of Hardik Pandya leading the team in the first ODI:

https://twitter.com/katthikathir/status/1627282082459447299

When did #HardikPandya become the VC in ODIs? #INDvAUS

— Gaurav Kadam (@gauraavkadam) February 19, 2023

So KL Rahul is no more a vice captain.For 1st and 2nd test match 'Vice-Captain' was mentioned in front of his name but not for the last two.Also,in ODI series it is mentioned for Hardik Pandya as VC.Looks like KL out of any leadership race.#BGT2023 #INDvsAUS #ViceCaptain

— Kathan Shah (@KathanS0901) February 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/senthilkumars26/status/1627282833864785920

Virat Kohli playing under Hardik Pandya's Captaincy.

— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) February 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/SakthiSurya_18/status/1627279476488036353

https://twitter.com/rohan_gangta/status/1627278288321404929

https://twitter.com/Chetraj29319847/status/1627277646953598976

https://twitter.com/Messiination/status/1627277558302515203

https://twitter.com/rohan_gangta/status/1627277550182625280

He was preparing himself to be the next captain in all formats after Rohit,and when Hardik pandya became T20 captain,he seems lost confidence and is not concentrating on scoring runs.

— DINKAN (@DINKAN08) February 19, 2023

https://twitter.com/Dhriti4021/status/1627298836128620544