Completing his redemption on the grandest stage, Hardik Pandya is set to return to the Indian camp after a successful campaign for Team India in the T20 World Cup 2024. Hardik will headline India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka and is reportedly set to lead India in the shortest format following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20I cricket after the ICC World Cup.
Veteran Indian opener Rohit masterminded India’s second T20 World Cup triumph in the Caribbean last month. After ending India’s World Cup drought with a final-over win against South Africa, Rohit confirmed that he has played his last T20I for the Men in Blue. Former skipper Rohit, batting icon Virat Kohli, and veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirements after India were crowned champions in the Caribbean.
With Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja making way for the next generation in T20Is, Hardik will take over the captaincy reins starting with the Sri Lanka series. “Hardik Pandya is all set to lead the Indian team in T20s after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. Hardik is also unlikely to be rested for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources told ANI.
Pandya served as Rohit’s deputy at the T20 World Cup. The Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57. Pandya also took 11 wickets in eight games at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with best figures of 3/20 in the ICC event.
KL Rahul will replace Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain. While Rohit will continue to lead India in the traditional formats, he will be rested for the Sri Lanka series. Premier batter KL Rahul will lead the Rohit-less side in the One Day International (ODI) series between India and Sri Lanka. “KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma as the board believes he excels in the longer format,” the sources added.
