‘Fitness cannot be the reason’ – Kris Srikkanth questions decision to make Suryakumar Yadav T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya | Sporting News India

Suryakumar Yadav’s appointment of the T20I side ahead of Hardik Pandya has been one of the biggest highlights of India’s squad announcement for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. 

Pandya was the leading candidate to replace Rohit Sharma as the new skipper in the T20Is following the veteran’s retirement from the format. Pandya served as the vice-captain under Rohit during India’s historic unbeaten run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. 

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However, the new coach at the helm, Gautam Gambhir had different plans. Along with Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently answered the question behind Pandya’s captaincy snub and the decision to make Surya the captain. 

Agarkar explained that some fitness-related concerns resulted in Pandya falling out of the captaincy race. However, former Indian cricketer, Krishnamachari Srikkanth has once again grilled the BCCI, stating that the reason was invalid.

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What did Srikkanth say about Pandya’s captaincy snub?

Talking on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth explained that the BCCI is just beating around the bush by stating fitness as the reason behind Pandya’s fallout from captaincy contenders. The former cricketer says that he believes Surya has good leadership qualities and is a good choice, but fitness can’t be the reason to not choose Pandya. 

Yes, Suryakumar has the qualities to be captain. I agree to that. He could prove to be a very good captain. But the reasons for dropping Hardik Pandya as captain are beating around the bush in terms of the reasoning.

Srikkanth explained that Pandya had already played in the IPL, playing in every match, contributing with both ball and bat and nothing seems to be indicating a fitness-related concern.

I think they have gone from the feedback of the dressing room. It must have probably been from the IPL. Fitness is something that I will not agree. He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That’s another issue. Mumbai Indians didn’t qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well. So, fitness is something that I won’t agree with

Srikkanth also highlighted Pandya’s brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old played an important role in India’s triumphant run throughout the tournament, finishing with 11 wickets and 144 runs to his name. According to Srikkanth, the fitness-related reasoning is even more obnoxious considering his recent performances. 

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