Fitness has been a challenge for Hardik: Agarkar

Surya is likely to play all the games: Agarkar

Surya has got a great cricket brain: Agarkar

The Indian Cricket Team selected for the tour to Sri Lanka have taken the flight to reach Sri Lanka as the first T20 is scheduled to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 27th July. The Selection Committee Chief of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ajit Agarkar talked about the decision to not move away from Indian all rounder Hardik Pandya for the role of the captain of the T-20 squad in an interaction with the media. “Hardik is a very important player. He has skill sets which are very difficult to find. Fitness has been a challenge for him in the last two years. It becomes tough as coach and selector. Until the next World Cup in 2026, we want to look at a few things. That was the main challenge. That was the thought behind it. We wanted the one who is available all the time,” Agarkar said. 

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With Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having announced their retirement from T20s, Hardik Pandya appeared to be the next captain for India in T20s due to his impressive record with the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his occasional stint as the Captain of the Indian team. KL Rahul’s strike rate appears to have been a factor constraining his chance of leading the squad. “The selectors have taken a brave call by opting for Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav for the role. Suryakumar Yadav was made the captain, because he is one of the most deserving candidates. We have been getting feedback from the dressing room. He has got a great cricket brain, he is one of the best T20 batters in the world, and the one who is likely to play all the games. Surya has got the necessary quality that you need to succeed as a captain,” Agarkar added.