Suryakumar Yadav appointed captain as players have ‘higher level of trust’ than Pandya: Report

India’s ‘Mr. 360’ Suryakumar Yadav has been finalised as captain for the Men’s cricket team during India’s tour to Sri Lanka in the T20Is, succeeding Hitman Rohit Sharma after his retirement. The decision was announced by BCCI when the selectors revealed the squads for India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which commences on July 27.

Surya, 33, will lead a squad of 15 players for the three match series to be held in Pallekele. While Pandya was one of the first choices, Suryakumar was finally appointed to lead the Indian team with Shubman Gill taking over as the deputy for the three-match series.

As per a report in Indian Express, the decision was taken owing to players' higher level of trust on Surya than Pandya. 

“Feedback received by the board was that players trusted Surya more than Pandya and were more comfortable working under him,” a report in TOI stated.

 

 

 

 

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Moreover, Pandya’s fitness issues, such as his ankle problem he suffered during the previous year’s ODI World Cup held in India, worked against his favour. 

As per reports, Gautam Gambhir preferred a skipper without injury worries. 

On the other hand, Hardik Pandya who was the original choice for captaincy is yet to comment in this regard.

Meanwhile, India cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who recently announced their retirement from T20Is, made themselves available for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka with the former also captaining the side.

Gill is the vice-captain in the ODI series as well. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja who were in terrific form during the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, have been rested for the series.