The decision to promote star batsman Suryakumar Yadav to the captaincy role has caused a stir, especially with Hardik Pandya missing out on the opportunity. The surprising move to overlook Hardik for the captaincy has raised eyebrows. In recent years, Hardik has led Team India in T20Is in the absence of captain Rohit Sharma and was also his deputy during the successful T20 World Cup campaign last month. Addressing the debate at a press conference, India chief selector Ajit Agarkar stressed that the decision to appoint Suryakumar as captain was made with fitness in mind.
Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, whose tenure ended after the T20 World Cup, has supported the current management’s choice of Suryakumar as captain, while also explaining the reasoning behind the decision.
“When selecting a captain, it is important to consider someone who can play all the games in that format. We believe that Suryakumar has a bright future in T20 cricket. His skill and impact on winning games for India are remarkable,” Mhanbrey told Hindustan Times.
Mhambrey also noted that Suryakumar has a strong bond with everyone in the team, especially the young players.
“He interacts well with the youngsters and has the respect of the team. His experience and smart cricketing sense make him a valuable asset,” he added.
Speaking about Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach, Mhambrey believes that Gambhir will need some time to bring out the best in the players.
“I haven’t interacted with him much, but with his experience, I’m confident he will do a good job. We should give him time to settle in,” he said.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead India in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27.
@Cricbun
