Dinesh Karthik Questions Pandya’s Removal from Vice-Captaincy
Dinesh Karthik has expressed his confusion over Hardik Pandya’s removal as the automatic choice for the vice-captaincy in India’s white-ball cricket formats. Pandya, who had previously led the team with notable success, was not selected as the vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against England, with Axar Patel being preferred instead. This decision follows a sequence where India did not appoint a vice-captain for the T20I series in South Africa and against Bangladesh.
India’s preparation for the T20I series against England, starting January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, includes appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain. His appointment comes as a surprise to many, especially considering Pandya’s pivotal role after the 2022 World Cup. Dinesh Karthik shared his uncertainty about this decision, emphasizing the success the team achieved under Pandya’s leadership. Under his captaincy, India managed to win 11 out of 16 T20I matches, including three of four series.
A crucial factor influencing Pandya’s current standing in the team is his injury status. He injured his ankle during the 50-over World Cup in October 2023. Although he made a comeback and led Mumbai Indians in the IPL, the selection committee decided to retain Rohit Sharma for ICC events. Pandya’s history of fitness issues seems to be a significant concern for the selection committee, leading them to favor Suryakumar Yadav, despite his age of 33.
The selection decisions have stirred discussions regarding the future of India’s cricket leadership. Pandya’s success as a captain in previous matches is still a key highlight. However, the injury concerns and committee’s preference for experience over potential have kept him from returning to the vice-captaincy role for the series against England.
As these developments unfold, it raises questions about the leadership dynamics within the Indian cricket team, especially with key tournaments like the ODIs and the Champions Trophy on the horizon. Only time will tell if Pandya will regain his position in these strategic roles.
19:30 IST
