India has caused quite a stir in the cricket world with the recent announcement of Suryakumar Yadav as the new captain of the Indian T20I team. The decision has sparked controversy within the Indian camp, with rumors circulating about the reasons behind the selection.
Media outlets and senior journalists have suggested that a rift between Mumbai Indians (MI) teammates Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya played a role in the selection committee’s decision to appoint Surya as captain. Speculations have arisen that Pandya, who was a frontrunner for the captaincy after India’s T20 World Cup victory, was overlooked due to Rohit’s influence.
Despite the speculation, it is important to note that Rohit retired from the T20 format along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja after India’s T20 World Cup triumph. Therefore, it seems unlikely that Rohit would have a significant influence on T20I matters anymore.
Experienced journalist Abhishek Tripathi shed light on the situation in a recent interview, explaining the various factors contributing to Surya’s captaincy appointment.
What led to Suryakumar Yadav’s appointment as T20I captain?
Tripathi highlighted the role of newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir in the decision-making process. Gambhir’s outspoken nature and assertiveness likely played a crucial role in Surya’s elevation to captaincy.
Tripathi emphasized that the decision-making process involved thorough discussions among the board, selectors, and the coach. While Gambhir may have initiated Surya’s name for captaincy, it was a collective decision.
When asked about Rohit’s involvement in sidelining Pandya and promoting Surya, Tripathi dismissed the notion, stating that Rohit’s focus is now on leading the ODI and Test sides, not T20I matters.
Tripathi refuted any claims of Rohit influencing decisions regarding the T20I squad post his retirement from the format. The responsibility now lies with the coach, selectors, and the newly appointed captain, Suryakumar Yadav.