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Former India fielding coach R Sridhar opened up on why Suryakumar Yadav was backed by the management for captaincy role over Hardik Pandya. Recently, after Rohit Sharma called it quits on his T20I career, Surya was named India’s captain in the 20-over format and was chosen over Hardik Pandya, who led India earlier in the absence of Sharma. The decision came after former India opener Gautam Gambhir succeeded Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.
India chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that the team needed someone who could be ‘on the park’ consistently. Since Hardik has been injured time and again, the selectors went on with Suryakumar, instead of him. Recently, former India fielding coach R Sridhar revealed exact reasons why the Gautam Gambhir-led management backed Yadav instead of the all-rounder.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sridhar said, “The very fact that Surya is someone who will be on the park for every match India is playing and not being bothered about workload monitoring is something which has tilted the scales in his favour, in terms of captaincy. Some of the matches he has captained India, when Rohit and Hardik were not available, has given confidence to the BCCI that he can do an excellent job.”
Sridhar further added, “He has been vice-captain and was at KKR before that when Gambhir was the captain, he's obviously been good with Mumbai Indians when they need him. He is someone who has exhibited leadership qualities throughout his tenure of being with the Indian team. That's held him in good stead, again falling back to his rapport with the other players, how they look up to him.”
Sridhar continued, “He is the no. 1 T20 batter in the world, that is something which goes in his favour as well. The confidence, the ability to lead the team both on and off the field, the availability of the player for all matches, his cricketing acumen, all these factors have tilted the scales in his favour.”
