Former India’s women team head coach WV Raman believes Hardik Pandya is becoming the new captain of the Indian team. Pandya had impressed with his leadership skills as he led Gujarat Titans to glory in the recently-concluded season of the Tata IPL 2022.
Subsequently, Pandya was named as vice-captain for the five-match T20I series against South Africa after KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury. The all-rounder will now lead India in the two-match T20I series against Ireland as Rishabh Pant is part of India’s Test squad.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Pandya could also lead India in the limited-overs series against England as Rohit Sharma could be once again be rested.
WV Raman said while talking to News24 Sports, “There will be excitement in this series because Hardik Pandya is becoming the new captain of the Indian team. The way he captained an IPL team raises everyone’s expectations. His habit of taking responsibility was the best thing I found in the IPL. The expectation is that he will continue in the same way, will motivate everyone nicely.”
Furthermore, Hardik Pandya has proved his bowling fitness and he is going to be a key part of India’s T20 World Cup squad.
“The second thing is that Hardik Pandya is a good all-rounder, he has started bowling again, so this will give the team good balance when we go to the World Cup. Once his confidence increases in the bowling, Hardik Pandya becomes an extremely important member of the team.”
On the other hand, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer recently made a point that Pandya should be the first choice to lead in the limited-overs format in the absence of Rohit Sharma. However, WV Raman feels it will depend on how Pandya will lead in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland.
“He did good captaincy for an IPL franchise but you will have to see how he leads the Indian team because here there is a selection committee. We will have to see what is their convictions, ideas, and views after seeing his captaincy so that they can make a decision based on that.”
Hardik Pandya will look to deliver the goods for India as a leader as well as an all-rounder in the two T20Is against Ireland. The first T20I will be played in Dublin on 26th June.
