Mumbai: Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s position as the future captain of the nation may face a setback in the wake of a series defeat against the West Indies and a dip in form. Reports circulating suggest that Pandya might lose his vice-captaincy position in the One Day Internationals (ODIs), with a new vice-captain potentially being appointed to support Rohit Sharma during upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
The national media is abuzz with speculation, and sources indicate that Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently leading India in the match against Ireland, is a strong contender for the vice captaincy role. Bumrah’s leadership experience and seniority within the team have contributed to his potential candidature for this important position.
Hardik Pandya, who currently holds the T20 captaincy, has seen shifts in his leadership prospects since his successful stint as the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In recent years, Pandya served as the deputy to captain Rohit Sharma during various ODI series against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the West Indies.
While Pandya’s capabilities as a leader have not gone unnoticed, the recent series defeat and his perceived dip in form have led to discussions about his vice-captaincy role. Experts and analysts emphasise that decisions regarding leadership roles must be carefully considered, taking into account players’ performance, experience, and team dynamics.
A source from within the cricket fraternity commented, “It is certain that we will have to think twice about the vice-captaincy. Things will not be easy for Hardik. It must be remembered that Bumrah was India’s captain before Hardik. Seniority belongs to Bumrah. Bumrah was also the vice captain when India toured South Africa in 2022. Consequently, Bumrah’s role as vice captain in the Asia Cup and the World Cup cannot be ruled out,” PTI reported.
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