Hardik Pandya likely to be appointed as India’s new T20 skipper

• Hardik Pandya is expected to be India’s new T20I captain.
• Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be vice-captain.
• Rohit Sharma will remain captain for Tests and Champions Trophy.

According to recent reports from Indian media, it is anticipated that Hardik Pandya will take over as India’s new T20I captain after Rohit Sharma decided to step down from the format, having led the team to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pandya played a pivotal role in securing India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup, notably delivering the final over in the decisive match against South Africa and successfully protecting the score. His performance included the critical dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen, who was close to turning the game in South Africa’s favor.

Reports suggest that Pandya’s stellar contribution during the World Cup will be acknowledged by appointing him as captain, with the talented fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah expected to serve as vice-captain.

While both Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav were considered for the captaincy, Pandya has been favored and is poised to captain the Indian team in the forthcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The intention is to provide Pandya with ample opportunities and time to prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka.

Currently, India is engaged in a five-match T20I series with Zimbabwe, captained by Shubman Gill. The series stands even at 1-1 following India’s remarkable recovery in the second T20I, culminating in a 100-run victory.

Previously, Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed Rohit Sharma’s role as captain for the Indian team in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 and the Champions Trophy 2025.

Sharma has been instrumental in ending India’s 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, leading the team to a T20 World Cup victory over South Africa in an exhilarating final held in Bridgetown.

Following Virat Kohli’s resignation, Sharma was named captain in 2021. Under his leadership, India reached the finals of both the WTC 2021-23 and the ODI World Cup 2023, although they were defeated by Australia on both occasions.

Jay Shah expressed his confidence in a BCCI video, stating, “I am confident that under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, we will win the WTC Final and the Champions Trophy.”

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