Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar certainly thinks Hardik Pandya is ready to be India’s next T20 captain.
After India’s humiliating defeat to England in the semi-final, Hardik Pandya seems to have an edge over other contenders like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
“Yes, he (Hardik Pandya) should be the next India captain as far as T20 cricket is concerned,” Gavaskar said.
“That Hardik is the best seam-bowling all-rounder in India, does not need to be proven but his fitness might become a factor when deciding the next white-ball captain of India.”
“It is only this year that he has started bowling regularly. But the selection committee appears to be ready to take that gamble. Hardik will lead India in the three-match T20I series in New Zealand that is set to begin on November 18.”
The likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik have all been rested from that tour.
Chances are high that a few of them will not play a T20I again for India.
Hardik Pandya’s fortunes are on the rise, both as a player and also as a leader.
The upswing had started when he led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in its first appearance.
He led from the with both and ball and also with inspiring captaincy decisions on the field that had a telling impact on the outcome of some of the matches.
Hardik carried on with the same work in the Indian side, making match-winning contributions with both and ball every now and then.
His leadership skill was put to test in a two-match T20I series in Ireland.
He came out in flying colours with a 2-0 sweep.
Indeed, the selectors seem to agree with the Little Master.
Pandya will captain the T20I team against New Zealand, with Rishabh assisting.
In one-day internationals, the wicketkeeper-batsman will support Shikhar Dhawan.
Pandya has been rested for the ODI series against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
