Former Team India manager Lalchand Rajput said that the management made a wise decision by appointing Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya as T20I captain to ensure the latter plays freely and contributes well as an all-rounder. However, Pandya was India’s T20I captain in Rohit Sharma’s absence for most of last year until his injury as well. He also played as vice-captain of Rohit Sharma during India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies and the USA.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Rajput said, “I think the selectors must have thought in the line with coach, too. The management wants Hardik Pandya to do well. If they release him from captaincy, he can play freely and give his best performance with bat and ball. I heard the press conference of Ajit Agarkar, he said most of the time he was unfit. They need a captain who is fit to play all the games. That must have tilted the favour towards Suryakumar Yadav. SKY has also been a captain of the Mumbai Ranji team and started early in the T20 format. He will lead the team in the best possible way.”

However, Suryakumar’s tenure as the T20I captain started well as India won the first game against Sri Lanka by 43 runs. The teams will play again in the second T20I at Pallekele today (July 28). And, Lalchand Rajput hopes Hardik Pandya will play Tests for India as well.

“I would love to see him in the red-ball cricket. He is a player who can change the course of the game in all three departments. If he could do well in red-ball cricket, that would add value to the team. He’s an all-rounder who can come at no.6 and also bowl a couple of overs,” concluded Lalchand Rajput in the aforementioned interview.