Hardik Pandya was nominated T20I captain in absence of Rohit Sharma, should be given baton first: Anjum Chopra

Former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra reckons Hardik Pandya should take over the T20I captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma as he was first nominated the T20I captain in latter’s absence. However, recent reports have claimed that Suryakumar Yadav is a front runner to take the captaincy reins because of Pandya’s injury issues and workload management.

Suryakumar led India in seven T20Is in 2023 against South Africa and Australia and the team won five games. On the other hand, Hardik Pandya has more captaincy experience than SKY, having led India in three ODIs and 16 T20Is.

Furthermore, Pandya has the experience of leading Gujarat Titans to glory in IPL 2022 and also the tournament’s final in the following season. Pandya led Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 but could not deliver as a leader as well as a player.

“No, I don’t have any thoughts on it because I think he was the nominated captain. I mean, I don’t have a thought against it or for it, because the reason was the nominated captain for the Indian team because he got injured. Then Surya took over in South Africa. If I remember correctly earlier this year in South Africa. So I think last year before the World Cup happened, he was the one who was chosen as the captain. You would want to give it to Hardik first,” Anjum Chopra told MyKhel.com.

Meanwhile, before the T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma returned to the T20I format and took over the captaincy. In his absence, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav led the team. Pandya was Rohit’s deputy in the T20I showpiece, which was hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

“I don’t pay much heed to the fact. I mean, you can always have a vice-captain getting promoted, but I think it’s because Hardik was the nominated captain, that’s why he was given the vice-captaincy role and that’s fair.

“I think, yeah, Hardik will take the mantle. As I said last year, he was a nominated captain, he got injured, did not play and all those things but I feel it’s absolutely fair to give it to him. If India selectors had not given it to him, and given it to Surya, then my answer would have been Surya. But then they’ve given it to him. So I think one should go back to him and give that respect and honour,” Anjum added.

India will take on Sri Lanka in three T20Is and as many ODIs.