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‘Fitness An Excuse..,’: Ex-PAK Captain Thinks Hardik Would Be A Better Captain Than Suryakumar

Hardik Pandya with Suryakumar Yadav during the 2024 T20 World Cup (AP)Hardik Pandya with Suryakumar Yadav during the 2024 T20 World Cup (AP)

Suryakumar Yadav was recently appointed as India’s next T20I captain following the triumphant retirement of Rohit Sharma. Suryakumar’s ascension as captain also occurred following the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as new head coach of the Indian team.

The decision came as a shock to many fans across India’s cricketing fraternity, with several followers and experts claiming all-rounder Hardik Pandya to be a better choice for the high-profile role. During a press conference, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the selectors made the call on the basis of player’s history with injury concerns.

Seemingly unsatisfied with the decision, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has slammed the BCCI and the Indian selection committee by claiming that fitness is just an excuse for curbing Hardik Pandya’s potential leadership role within the team.

Rashid Latif slams BCCI for ignoring Hardik Pandya

Taking to his YouTube channel, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif said that robbing a potential leadership role from Hardik Pandya on the basis of ‘fitness’ was just an excuse on part of the BCCI and the Indian selection committee.

Latif even described wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as a better choice for T20I captain than Suryakumar Yadav in a bid to shape the future of Indian cricket. He said:

“No, here they should just hand him a certificate saying he isn't fit and there are concerns about his fitness. There are plenty of players who weren't super fit but still became great captains. So, I think it was just an excuse. Because if Surya wasn't around, then Rishabh (Pant) would have been the captain since you have to look at the future.”

Regardless, Suryakumar Yadav is currently in Sri Lanka awaiting his maiden full-time captaincy assignment. With Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant also in the Indian squad, their T20I series against Sri Lanka will kick-off on July 27 in Pallekele.