"The management wants Hardik Pandya to do well" - Lalchand Rajput opens up on India's rationale behind T20I captaincy decision

Former Team India manager Lalchand Rajput believes the management made a wise decision by opting for Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya for T20I captaincy to ensure the latter plays freely and produces at an optimum level as an all-rounder. Pandya was India's T20I skipper in Rohit Sharma's absence for most of last year until his injury.

He also played deputy to Rohit during India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies and the USA. Yet, after Rohit retired from T20Is after the tournament, the think tank went with Surya for the ongoing Sri Lankan tour with Hardik in the squad.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Rajput said:

"I think the selectors must have thought in the line with coach, too. The management wants Hardik Pandya to do well. If they release him from captaincy, he can play freely and give his best performance with bat and ball. I heard the press conference of Ajit Agarkar, he said most of the time he was unfit. They need a captain who is fit to play all the games. That must have tilted the favour towards Suryakumar Yadav."

He added:

"SKY has also been a captain of the Mumbai Ranji team and started early in the T20 format. He will lead the team in the best possible way."

Surya's tenure as permanent T20I captain started in the best possible manner as India won the opening game against Sri Lanka by 43 runs. The teams meet again in the second T20I at Pallekele today (July 28).

"I would love to see him in the red-ball cricket" - Lalchand Rajput on Hardik Pandya

Pandya last played Tests in England in 2018 [Credit: Getty]

Lalchand Rajput further wished for Hardik Pandya to play Tests for India, highlighting his ability to change the course of games with bat and ball.

The 30-year-old last played red-ball cricket for India in 2018 in the away series in England.

"I would love to see him in the red-ball cricket. He is a player who can change the course of the game in all three departments. If he could do well in red-ball cricket, that would add value to the team. He's an all-rounder who can come at no.6 and also bowl a couple of overs," said Rajput in the aforementioned interview.

Despite playing almost 200 white-ball games for India, Hardik has featured in only 11 Tests.

He has scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29 and picked up 17 wickets at an average of 31.05 in the longest format.