The retirement of Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has ushered in a new era for India’s T20I squad, with young talent stepping up for the upcoming series against England, starting January 22. For many of these players, this series represents a critical opportunity to establish themselves on the international stage and fill the massive void left by two of cricket’s modern greats.
While the team still boasts match-winners, several decisions by the selectors have sparked debate among cricketing experts. One of the most intriguing moves is the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain, replacing Hardik Pandya, who was previously groomed as Rohit’s successor in the shortest format.
This shift has left some pundits scratching their heads, with former vice-captain Hardik now no longer even holding the deputy role. Adding to the speculation is the announcement of Axar Patel as the vice-captain for the England series.
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This decision has drawn sharp commentary from former cricketer and analyst Aakash Chopra, who took to social media to question the rationale behind Hardik’s apparent demotion. “It’s a development that needs an official word. He (Pandya) was leading India in Rohit’s absence. Now, he’s not even the VC. I’d like to hear from the selectors about their thought process,” Aakash Chopra tweeted.
It’s a development that needs an official word. He was leading India in Rohit’s absence. Now, he’s not even the VC.
I’d like to hear from the selectors about their thought process. https://t.co/ArykkbTBz5— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 12, 2025
India’s T20I performances in 2024, however, were nothing short of extraordinary. The team dominated the format, finishing the year as the top-ranked side and clinching series wins against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
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The crowning achievement was their unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup, culminating in a thrilling final against South Africa. In that match, Hardik Pandya delivered a match-winning spell and a nerve-wracking final over, breaking South African hearts and securing India’s title in dramatic fashion. This legacy adds further intrigue to his altered role in the team.
