In what has been the latest development as per the reports in Times of India (TOI), it is learned that Rohit Sharma might be the captain of the team for the Afghanistan T20Is. The senior opener might be asked to lead the side if Hardik Pandya doesn’t get fit in time.
Hardik Pandya has been nursing an ankle injury for a while now. He got injured during the ICC World Cup 2023 and since then has been out of action. There were recent reports which suggested that the all-rounder might miss the T20I series against Afghanistan and also the IPL 2024.
The report surprised many because it would be a huge blow for India as well as the Mumbai Indians. But the reports in the Times of India have rubbished all the reports and have suggested that Hardik Pandya will be fit for the series against Afghanistan.
It is learned that Hardik Pandya has attained fitness and is all set to captain the team. This also might be an indication that he will be a potential candidate to captain the team in the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be played in the USA and the Caribbean.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya likely to be ruled out of the Afghanistan T20Is as well as the IPL – Reports
If by any chance Hardik Pandya isn’t deemed fit to play in the series then BCCI might ask Rohit Sharma to captain. The reports added that there is no chance that BCCI might let Ravindra Jadeja to lead the team in the series against Afghanistan.
The Indian captaincy saga in the T20Is has kept many confused. There is no clarity on who will be captaining team the in the format, especially with T20 World Cup around the corner. The clarity related to this is only expected after the IPL.
Barring Hardik Pandya; Suryakumar Yadav to be ruled out of the T20I series against Afghanistan
Apart from the news of Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma, the reports also confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav will not be part of the T20I series against Afghanistan. The batter has suffered an ankle injury and recently underwent treatment.
Suryakumar Yadav is likely to be fit for the IPL 2024. He is expected to play a huge role for the team in the tournament. The batter also will be a vital cog for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup 2024.