Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that all-rounder Hardik Pandya still remains a key member of the team’s leadership group. Notably, Axar Patel has replaced Pandya as the side’s vice-captain for the five-match T20I series against England.
Pandya served as Rohit Sharma’s deputy in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which saw India clinching a title victory. He was then set to be named as the skipper after Rohit’s T20I retirement. However, Gautam Gambhir induced Suryakumar Yadav as captain of the T20I side, as he will be playing most of the games, and doesn’t have much fitness issue like Pandya.
Interestingly, Suryakumar and Pandya played together for Mumbai Indians from 2018-21, before Pandya left to lead Gujarat Titans for the next two seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The all-rounder then made a switch to Mumbai and led them in the IPL 2024 season, with Suryakumar being one of the key batters for the side.
Here’s what Suryakumar Yadav told the media in Kolkata about Hardik Pandya:
“The relationship with him has been really great. We’ve been playing [together] for a really long time. I still remember that from 2018, when I went back to Mumbai Indians [we first played together] and [it’s the same] till today. It’s just that the added responsibility that I’ve got [here]. When we go back to franchise cricket, I can get to be quiet and relax for a little bit.”
Further, Suryakumar thinks Axar Patel has been induced as the vice-captain due to his impressive performances in the T20 World Cup. However, he also mentioned that Pandya is a key member of the leadership group, and expressed his happiness for having many leaders on the field, which will help him take better decisions.
“But we’ve been good friends on the field and we know what we want going forward with the India team. Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he’s been with the team for a very long time. At the same time, Hardik is also part of the leading group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do with the team going forward and even on the field, he is always around. We have a lot of captains on the ground.”
Suryakumar Yadav’s take on Sanju Samson vs Rishabh Pant in T20Is
Suryakumar Yadav also answered questions about a debate between who among Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant should play in the Indian T20I team.
As per Suryakumar, Samson remains the top wicket-keeper choice for the Men in Blue due to his impressive form in the recent months. Interestingly, Samson became the first Indian player to hit three T20I centuries in a single calendar year (2024).
“Currently, there’s no question mark on the wicketkeepers,” he said. “Sanju has done really well in the last 7-10 games and has shown what he’s capable of. It’s what we want from all our players, not just the wicketkeepers but from everyone – to keep the team first. He’s got that opportunity, he’s made full use of it. And I’m happy for him.”
The first T20I between India and England will take place on Wednesday, January 22 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
