‘Fitness has been a challenge for Hardik Pandya’ – Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir explain why Suryakumar Yadav was selected as India’s T20I captain | Sporting News India

The newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment will be the limited overs tour of Sri Lanka. A three-match T20I series will be played on July 27, 28 and 30 and that will be followed by a 3-match ODI series on August 2, 4 and 7. 

Gambhir was speaking at a press conference ahead of the tour along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, when they were asked questions about Suryakumar Yadav’s selection as captain over Hardik Pandya.

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What did Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar say about SKY’s appointment as captain over Hardik Pandya?

Addressing his first-ever press conference alongside the new head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar justified the BCCI’s appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as India’s next T20I captain, highlighting fitness and availability as the primary reason for SKY’s selection over Hardik Pandya.

“You wanted a captain that is likely to play all games. We see that he’s a deserving candidate,” Agarkar said.

“Regards to Hardik, he’s still important to us. His skillset is difficult to find. However, fitness has been a challenge for him. It becomes difficult for coach and selectors then. We have time till the next T20 World Cup where we can do other things,” he added.

Further, he said that no player’s spot in the team is guaranteed, adding that apart from Hardik’s fitness concerns, the BCCI took feedback from the players about the qualities in the new captain, suggesting that SKY was the perfect candidate.

“I don’t think any player takes their place as guaranteed. These discussions don’t happen overnight. We’ve been thinking about this for a long time. We get feedback from the dressing room as well in terms of qualities. The biggest thing is captain has to be on the park always. Hopefully, Surya does that.”

According to previous reports, it is expected that Hardik Pandya’s workload will be managed and that his bowling fitness will be monitored ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, as he has been asked to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 50-overs domestic tournament, which will start in December.