Hardik Pandya hasn’t played international cricket for more than six months but the national selectors still appointed him as vice-captain of the Indian team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav will also play in the global tournament but the decision-makers preferred Hardik over them.
Former India player Mohammad Kaif opined on the development, lauding the Ajit Agarkar-led team.
“Hardik Pandya was Team India’s captain before Rohit Sharma was given the captain’s armband. Suryakumar Yadav led India when Hardik and Rohit were not there. Bumrah was India’s captain in the T20I series against Ireland. The team was full of young players.
“It was Rohit Sharma, who told the selectors, that he wanted Hardik Pandya as his deputy. Rohit trusts his abilities, having worked with him before. Rohit knows Hardik can take decisions. I think it is a.good move by the selectors,” Mohammad Kaif said on Star Sports.
Pandya is currently leading Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2024. Rohit is playing under his captaincy for the first time in his career.