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Why Hardik Pandya Was Snubbed From IND T20I Captaincy? Reason Reveals Gambhir's Ploy

Pandya snubbed from India's T20I captaincy (x.com)Pandya snubbed from India's T20I captaincy (x.com)

Hardik Pandya faced two massive setbacks on Friday—the first in his personal life and the second on the professional front as well. Suryakumar Yadav edged past Hardik Pandya to become India's T20I captain. Meanwhile, the star cricketer also announced his separation from Serbian model Natasa Stankovic. 

After India's humiliating exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pandya got the reigns of captaincy in the shortest format after the national selectors moved on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. 

However, a sudden change in plans saw Rohit Sharma getting back the captaincy in the shortest format. BCCI's move to give back captain to the 37-year-old opener worked as a charm, as India clinched an ICC title after 11 years. 

After the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Rohit announced his T20I retirement, which opened doors for Pandya to become the next T20I captain. But the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir decided to pick Surya - over Pandya - as Rohit's successor in the shortest format. 

Now, a day after India's squads were announced for Sri Lanka, a report from the Hindustan Times has emerged that states Gambhir wants the injury-prone all-rounder to get himself ready to bowl the full quota (10 overs) of overs in ODI cricket.

"Hardik (Pandya) was also reminded by (Gautam) Gambhir on the call, that he was looking forward to see him bowl his full quota in ODIs," a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.

It is believed that Pandya, who played his last ODI during the 2023 World Cup, has asked for a break during the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. Although the 30-year-old will be playing in the T20I series.