Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has questioned Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision of not making Hardik Pandya India’s T20I captain. However, the selectors named Suryakumar Yadav the captain for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Agarkar explained that the selectors were looking for a captain who is available for all games and highlighted fitness concerns with Hardik Pandya as well. However, Latif shared his views on this.

Rashid Latif was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times: “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.”

However, Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain of the winning Indian team at the T20 World Cup 2024 as well. Meanwhile, former Indian opener K Srikkanth had also shared his opinion on Hardik Pandya not becoming Rohit Sharma’s successor in T20Is as well.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel:  “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.”