Former Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra recently shared his thoughts on the decision not to appoint Hardik Pandya as the new T20I captain. Nehra expressed that he wasn’t surprised by the Indian management’s choice. He comprehended the thought process behind not selecting Pandya as the T20I captain.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly-appointed coach Gautam Gambhir played pivotal roles in this decision. While Pandya had led India in T20Is in 2023 and served as Rohit Sharma’s deputy during the victorious World Cup campaign, the selectors opted for a different path.
Ashish Nehra on Hardik Pandya’s captaincy snub
Nehra recognized that coaching changes bring varying perspectives. Gambhir’s ideas diverge from the previous regime. While Pandya’s vice-captaincy during the World Cup was notable, the new coach’s vision shifted toward Suryakumar’s leadership.
“No, I am not surprised. When it comes to cricket, these things keep happening. Yes, Hardik Pandya was vice-captain in the World Cup, but at the same time, there is a new coach who has come in. Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir’s) ideas are toward that direction,” Nehra told SportsTak.
“I think Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir have made it clear, that’s good. He is playing one format, 50-over also, he is playing less. Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have 4 fast bowlers, he brings in a different balance to the side and keep in mind, that there’s no impact player in international cricket.
“Not just Hardik Pandya, but when you have so many matches, there will be changes. Even Rishabh Pant has captained, KL Rahul has captained,” he added.
Despite the captaincy snub, Nehra emphasized that Pandya remains a crucial player for Indian cricket in white-ball formats. His presence allows the team to field four fast bowlers, providing a unique balance. Nehra acknowledged that international cricket lacks impact players, and Pandya’s role is significant.
