Rohit Sharma back as the T20s Captain: Is Hardik Pandya’s Injury the Main Reason?

Rohit Sharma back as T20 captain, but is it due to Hardik Pandya's injury? Saba Karim shares insights on the strategic move.

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: January 09, 2024

All rounder Hardik Pandya recently suffered an ankle injury during the world cup league while playing against Bangladesh, leading to his exit from the league.

Due to his ankle injury he is ruled out of T20s as well with Rohit Sharma being announced as the captain for the T20 series against Afghanistan. Hardik’s injury cost him big time, making the management team concerned about his stability for the game.

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Rohit Sharma, current captain of Indian Cricket team, will be playing in T20 after a long time, the last he played was in November 2022, where he faced England. Since then, Rohit Sharma and the former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli have been focused on the ODIs and Test matches. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya was leading the team in T20.

Former Indian Wicket keeper and batter has an engrossing take on this footing. According to him, Rohit Sharma’s inclusion in T20s is a clear indication of Management’s aim with the upcoming T20 world cup 2024.

Many were speaking against Rohit Sharma with his fitness in question, but the last world cup league has shown his greatness, stability and consistency in leading the team as a captain.

Could this be the reason Management took the decision of having Rohit Sharma back on board, or is it Hardik Pandya’s injury?

Coinciding with what Karim said, that the selectors had shown utmost faith in Hardik Pandya as a captain but there’s a debate that’s taking place because of his injury. That's why the selectors have brought Rohit Sharma on board to bring stability, both as a captain and a batter” during a talk on Sports 18.

Along with Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad are also ruled out from the T20 series due to injury. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested as well. Ishan Kishan has been excluded as well with Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma on board.

India's Squad for T20Is against Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, and Mukesh Kumar.