India T20 Captaincy: IND ENG Semifinal Highlights: Team India’s time is up in the T20 World Cup in Australia. But it is set to be a new beginning for Indian T20 team. India’s timid approach in powerplay, underscored by Rahul Dravid’s resistance to change, has led to India’s ouster from the semifinals. But after 10-wicket humiliation to England at Adelaide, BCCI is ready to make tough calls considering T20 World Cup 2024 is just two years away. The first up would be a call on T20I captaincy. Hardik Pandya is likely to replace Rohit Sharma on a full-time basis if not next month, in near future. Follow ICC T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Of course, some tough calls have to be made. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. We had preparations, sent the team early. Yes, two crucial injuries did derail our plans a bit. But that’s the nature of the game. If you see, England are also without Jofra Archer or Mark Wood. But they didn’t struggle today. As for captaincy, it is a matter of discussion. We will sit after the NZ series,” a senior BCCI official said.
India T20 Captaincy: BCCI hints at ‘TOUGH CALLS’, Rohit Sharma’s T20I captaincy on the line, Hardik Pandya likely to take over for 2024 WC, Follow LIVE Updates
But why would a captain who has led India to a World Record T20 winning be sacrificed? The reason is his age. Rohit Sharma is already 35 and by 2024 WC, he will be 37. He has important task of leading both ODI and Test sides for at least two years. Hence, he will be frequently rested. As the T20s leading up to the 2024 WC would be important, India may look at split captaincy with fresh approach in T20s.
To our fans who backed us everywhere we went, we’re forever grateful. It wasn’t meant to be but we’ll reflect and keep fighting. 🇮🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/smFBRuTd3J
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) November 10, 2022
India T20 Captaincy: Will Rohit Sharma step down from T20 captaincy?
- It is likely that, Rohit Sharma will vacate one captaincy to focus on 2023 WC.
- As Rohit Sharma will focus more on ODIs and Tests in 2023 leading up to 2024, he will miss a lot of T20s.
- Hence, Hardik Pandya has emerged as a strong candidate.
- If India do well in New Zealand under his captaincy in Rohit, KL and Kohli’s absence, Hardik will win over the BCCI.
- After ODI World Cup next year, BCCI and selectors will discuss the captaincy options with Rohit Sharma.
- With injuries and fitness concerns, it is unlikely that Rohit Sharma will be kept on as the captain for 2024 World Cup.
- Instead, Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant are being groomed to lead.
- KL Rahul is the next in line for ODI and Test captaincy.
“Rohit will be rotated and rested constantly for big series and ICC tournaments. But one cannot rotate a captain too many times. Since T20s will not be in focus, we have to phase out Rohit gradually when someone like Hardik are ready to take the charge full-time,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
IND vs NZ T20 Series: Rohit Sharma would miss the NewZealand series with Hardik Pandya taking charge. Against a full-strength Kiwis, it will be Hardik’s best chance to prove his captaincy skills. He will also be up against an experienced international captain in Kane Williamson.
What makes Hardik Pandya a better T20 captain than his competitors?
- Although Rohit is more experienced one, age is not in his side.
- Hardik Pandya has proven his mettle, leading Gujarat Titans to IPL title in debut season.
- Not many considered GT a strong contender.
- But Hardik led from the front with all-round performance.
- He took some tough calls even though unpleasant when needed.
- He even backed players who otherwise would not have continued. Matthew Wade was one of them.
- Being a seam-bowling all-rounder also gives him a unique advantage as he can think from both a batter and bowler’s perspective.
India T20 Captaincy: BCCI hints at ‘TOUGH CALLS’, Rohit Sharma’s T20I captaincy on the line, Hardik Pandya likely to take over for 2024 WC, Follow LIVE Updates
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