Ashish Nehra on Suryakumar Yadav’s promotion as the new T20I captain

The former Indian pacer Nehra sympathizes with ex-vice-captain Hardik Pandya.

There have been several news articles on updates and changes for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, where Gautam Gambhir will debut as the Team India coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid. With this, news of Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) being selected as the new T20I captain has also been on the top. Amidst this, former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra has something to say about SKY and Hardik Pandya.

Ashish Nehra opens up about Hardik Pandya’s bump and SKY’s upgrade as the new T20I captain.

Recently, the former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra spoke on SKY’s elevation as the new T20I captain. Amidst this decision by the new Team India coach, Gautam Gambhir, and Chief Indian Selector Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra has shown sympathy for ex-vice captain Hardik Pandya. As per the chairman of selectors, Agarkar, Pandya lost out on the T20I captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav because of concerns over his availability. Also, his frequent injury absences have paved the way for SKY to take the position.

Nehra finds it difficult for Hardik Pandya to gain that post.

Speaking to Sports Tak, Ashish Nehra said, “Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir said a couple of days ago, if I am not mistaken talked about fitness. He is not playing all formats, I mean, he is playing only one format, he doesn’t even play the 50-over format that much. So it is difficult for Hardik Pandya or any coach or captain. I will just say that the thoughts are different.” Nehra added, “It’s not surprising that when it comes to cricket, these things happen. It’s a bit surprising that Hardik Pandya, as you said, he was the vice-captain in the World Cup. But at the same time, a new coach has come. A new thought has come. So every coach, each captain has a different thought. So at this time, their thought is on that side.”

All-rounder Hardik Pandya was Rohit Sharma’s deputy at the T20 World Cup 2024. However, after the World Cup win, he also lost his vice-captaincy post to former world no. 1 batter Shubman Gill.