‘Fitness was just an excuse to remove Hardik Pandya’ – Rashid Latif slams Ajit Agarkar over India’s T20I captaincy choice | Sporting News India

Indian cricket team is in its transitional phase, as head coach Gautam Gambhir takes over the reins from the hands of Rahul Dravid. Even in terms of playing personnel, the team has seen a substantial shift of choices in the 20-over format.

The veterans Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja called it a day after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Sharma’s retirement called for a captaincy appointment and the choice was eventually between Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

On July 18, the BCCI announced Suryakumar Yadav as Team India’s T20I captain, ahead of Hardik Pandya who had served as the vice-captain during the World Cup. Former Pakistan international, Rashid Latif has lambasted BCCI Selection Committee chief Ajit Agarkar over India’s T20I captaincy pick.

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What did Rashid Latif say about SKY being chosen as T20I skipper over Hardik Pandya?

Team India appointed Surya as T20I skipper ahead of the series against Sri Lanka. BCCI Selection Committee chief, Ajit Agarkar reasoned the choice was down to fitness issues of Hardik Pandya, over anything else.

Former Pakistani wicket-keeper Rashid Latif, spoke against Agarkar’s fitness remark behind India’s captaincy choice. Speaking on Caught Behind Youtube channel, Latif stated how the reason was a mere excuse, and that Pandya would not have been chosen as skipper, even if SKY was not in the scheme of things. 

No, here they (the claims) just hand him a certificate saying he isn’t fit and there are concerns about his fitness. There are plenty of players who weren’t super fit but still became great captains. So, I think it was just an excuse.

“Because if Surya wasn’t around, then Rishabh (Pant) would have been the captain since you have to look at the future,” the 55-year-old added.

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What did Ajit Agarkar say about Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues?

Last Monday, before the Indian team flew out to Sri Lanka for their white ball series, Ajit Agarkar interacted with the media and pointed out Hardik’s fitness issues and defended the selection of SKY as the T20I captain. Pandya suffered an ankle injury in the ODI World Cup 2023, which kept him sidelined until IPL 2024. 

Agarkar spoke about how the BCCI opted for someone who has been regularly available for selection, in Suryakumar. He also touched on Pandya’s importance and value in the Indian team. 

Fitness has been something that he’s struggled with. As selectors, it becomes difficult then. The thought behind it was that we want someone (as captain) who is likely to be available more, BCCI’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar talked on Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues as SKY was chosen as T20I captain.

We also feel we can manage Hardik better, we’ve seen what he can do with the bat and ball in the World Cup… We speak to every player, about whether their role has changed. And yeah we’ve spoken to him (Pandya).

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What is Suryakumar Yadav’s first test as India’s full-time T20I captain?

Suryakumar Yadav & Co. will face Sri Lanka in the upcoming three-match T20I series. The matches will be hosted in Pallekele. The inaugural game is scheduled for July 26. 

Hardik Pandya is also removed from his vice-captaincy role, with Shubman Gill selected as SKY’s deputy for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. 

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