India’s T20I captaincy could witness a surprise with the national selectors in a dilemma over handing over the reins to Hardik Pandya.
The hot seat fell vacant after Rohit Sharma decided to quit T20Is after the World Cup. Pandya was his deputy in the West Indies.
Sources told The Telegraph that Pandya’s recurring fitness issues have brought Suryakumar Yadav into the reckoning. New head coach Gautam Gambhir is learnt
to have made known his preference for Surya as he begins the groundwork for the 2026 World Cup.
Gambhir wants to ring in the changes from the series in Sri Lanka itself and has had several rounds of discussions with chief selector Ajit Agarkar. However, a formal nod from the BCCI is awaited.
India will play three T20Is followed by three ODIs against Sri Lanka, starting later this month.
As captain, Surya has a record of five wins and two losses in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa. One match was washed out.
Pandya has already requested the BCCI that he won’t be available for the ODI series in Sri Lanka.
Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are also likely to be rested for both the ODI and T20I series.
