India T20 WC Squad – T20 World Cup 2022: Hardik Pandya VICE CAPTAIN? Time changes everything and it fits perfectly with Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder was dropped and forced into a break due to a nagging back injury. Now, he is all set to be appointed as permanent vice-captain of the Indian T20 team ahead of KL Rahul. The rapid rise has happened within just five months’ time following his IPL 2022 exploits and excellent form with Team India. Follow IND vs WI LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Hardik is a world-class player and it’s great to have him back in the team at full fitness. He is already a leader in the group. As an all-rounder, he understands both situations. He has outstanding leadership skills and we saw that in the IPL. He will surely do well,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport on Thursday.
India T20 WC Squad: Big promotion coming for Hardik Pandya, selectors set to make him permanent vice-captain in T20 cricket ahead of KL Rahul
For the first time, Hardik Pandya was appointed as vice-captain for the South Africa series at home. He was excellent with both bat and ball. Then, he was named the captain of the side for the Ireland tour and India won the series. Now, with KL Rahul struggling with injury, Hardik is set for bigger promotion.
As per information available with InsideSport, Hardik Pandya will be named the vice-captain for the Asia Cup when the squad is announced on Monday. He will also be appointed the vice captain for the T20 World Cup. The squad submission deadline for that is September 15.
India T20 WC Squad: Big promotion coming for Hardik Pandya, selectors set to make him permanent vice-captain in T20 cricket ahead of KL Rahul
India T20 WC Squad: Hardik Pandya since return from break
- In IPL 2022, Hardik scored 487 runs in 15 matches at an average of 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.27.
- He was effective with the ball too. His impressive spell of 3/17 led Gujarat Titans to the title. He ended up with 8 wickets at an economy rate of 7.27.
- Since his return to India team, he has flourished too. In 12 matches since his return, he has scored 253 runs at an average of 31.52.
- He has been successful with the ball too, taking 8 wickets at an economy rate of 8.46.
- In the three matches against West Indies, he has been excellent, taking two wickets at an economy rate of just 5.30.
- He was appointed s vice-captain for South Africa series after KL Rahul missed out due to injury.
- He led India successfully in Ireland, winning the series 2-0.
- Now, he is all set to be appointed the vice-captain of the Indian team.
India T20 WC Squad: Big promotion coming for Hardik Pandya, selectors set to make him permanent vice-captain in T20 cricket ahead of KL Rahul
After InsideSport broke the story, ANI sources also confirmed the development.
“The management is discussing over one name for vice-captaincy. It could be Hardik Pandya as he gave us good results in the past. He made Gujarat Titans the champions of IPL 2022 under his leadership. He showed great performances in the series against South Africa and England. We want to name an all-rounder for this post and in the current scenario, Hardik deserves this post,” sources told ANI on Friday.
However, KL Rahul will continue to be the vice-captain of ODI and Test teams. In Rohit Sharma’s absence, he will lead with Jasprit Bumrah set to be vice-captain. In England, Jasprit Bumrah led India in the 5th Test.
But Hardik Pandya’s Test career seems to have come to an abrupt end. Although Hardik hasn’t clarified whether he will continue to play Tests, InsideSport understands that he will not be considered for Tests.
“It’s important to manage his workload being an all-rounder. We have a lot of T20s and ODIs coming up and it will not be possible for an all-rounder to play all three formats. Instead, he will focus on white-ball formats. As for Tests, we have Jadeja and Shardul for the all-rounder slots and they have done well. Once Deepak comes back from injury, he will also be considered for Tests,” the BCCI official said.
India T20 WC Squad: Big promotion coming for Hardik Pandya, selectors set to make him permanent vice-captain in T20 cricket ahead of KL Rahul
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