‘Gambhir didn’t pitch Suryakumar’s name but said he won’t work with.’: BCCI official on India’s T20I captaincy

sanjeev

khelja|18-07-2024

India is expected to get a new T20I captain on Thursday (July 18) after BCCI selection committee's meeting for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, starting on July 27. With Rohit Sharma retiring from the format after India's 2024 T20 World Cup win, last month, a new T20I captain is set to be named not only for the SL tour but until 2026 T20 WC, at home.
Murmurs are that there is a split decision among the board officials, new head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee with regard to the new captain. While Hardik Pandya has served as the vice-captain and even led India on many occasions in Rohit's absence, it is reported that Gambhir and Agarkar are in favour of Suryakumar Yadav. Gambhir, who was appointed as India's head coach early this month, was part of an informal call with BCCI officials and the selection committee on Tuesday evening (July 16) regarding India's roadmap ahead. It is learnt that it was during the call Gambhir and Agarkar were in favour of Surya becoming the next T20I captain over Hardik. It is understood that Gambhir didn't directly put forward Surya's name but stated that he would prefer working with a captain whose workload management isn't a concern. Notably, Hardik has had several fitness concerns in the recent past, thereby shifting things in Surya's favour (who is India's third-highest run-getter in T20Is).   "Although Gambhir did not directly pitch for Surya in the call, he made it amply clear that he would want to work with a captain whose workload does not become a stumbling block. Agarkar was clear with his views," a BCCI official told Hindustan Times. However, the selection committee is tilted towards Hardik due to him being the World Cup-winning vice-captain. In addition, the all-rounder made 144 runs and picked up 11 wickets in India's victorious campaign, after injury woes and a poor run in IPL 2024 (where he led Mumbai Indians). It is believed that Gambhir and Agarkar have already updated Hardik about the latest developments. The announcement is expected to happen later in the day after the meeting between BCCI officials, selectors and head coach (which was put off by a day). India will travel to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and T20Is each. While Rohit is expected to be available for the ODI leg, KL Rahul may lead in case the former misses out. Meanwhile, Surya is likely to take charge of the T20I team, on a permanent basis till 2026.
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