Shastri's Advice To Hardik After Captaincy Snub: 'Don't Take Breaks'

Shastri advises Hardik to play every T20 game and not to take breaks [X] Shastri advises Hardik to play every T20 game and not to take breaks [X]


Hardik Pandya was long touted as the successor of Rohit Sharma in the T20I format, and was his deputy during India's title winning campaign in USA/West Indies.

When the former India skipper, Rohit, took a break from the shortest format after India's exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup, Hardik was seen as someone who can fill in the shoes, and he was assigned the captaincy duties whenver a series came up.

Shastri's brilliant advice for Hardik Pandya

Moreover, when Rohit decided to retire from the T20Is, everyone expected Hardik's announcement as the new skipper. But, that was not the case as Suryakumar Yadav was the chosen one, and was made the permanent captain till the T20 World Cup 2026.

Ultimately, it was Hardik's long-term fitness issues which prompted the selectors to look elsewhere, and hence, he was snubbed from the captaincy. 

Speaking in the latest edition of ICC Review, former India coach, Ravi Shastri advised Hardik not to take breaks from the shortest format, and also keep his fitness in check.

“I think (it's) very important that he continues to play,” Shastri said while speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan.


He further added: “I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well."

The Indian all-rounder, Hardik has a history of injuries which goes back to the 2018 Asia Cup, when he severely injured his back. Following which, he decided to focus more on white-ball cricket, and has since not played a single Test match for India.