Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya had assumed the leadership role in the shortest format of the game, following Rohit Sharma's retirement. However, this responsibility was recently taken away from him when Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the team's new head coach. Gambhir, in collaboration with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, decided to hand over the captaincy duties to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is, with Shubman Gill as his deputy.
Ashish Nehra, who coached Hardik during his captaincy at Gujarat Titans, expressed his lack of surprise at this decision made by the Indian team management. Hardik and Nehra had a successful partnership at Gujarat Titans, leading the team to two Indian Premier League finals in two years, with one victory. However, Nehra believes that Gambhir has a different vision for the future of the Indian team, and unfortunately, Hardik does not fit into those plans as a captain or vice-captain.
"No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup, but at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir's) ideas are toward that direction," Nehra told Sports Tak.
During the press conference prior to Team India's departure to Sri Lanka, Agarkar emphasized that fitness was the main factor in the decision to not appoint Hardik as the T20I captain. Nehra also supported the chief selector's stance on the matter.
"I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that's good. He is playing one format, 50-over also, he is playing less. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have 4 fast bowlers, he brings in a different balance to the side and keep in mind, that there's no impact player in international cricket.
"Not just Hardik Pandya, but when you have so many matches, there will be changes. Even Rishabh Pant has captained, KL Rahul has captained," he added.
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