Hardik Pandya Leads India in T20Is Against Sri Lanka Post Rohit Retirement
After winning the ICC T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma said that he would not be playing T20Is anymore. All-rounder Hardik Pandya would most likely captain the Men in Blue in the game’s shortest format. As for the ODI team, the reports state that KL Rahul, a wicketkeeper-batter, will captain them. “After announcing his retirement, Rohit Sharma has stated that Hardik Pandya will captain the Indian T20 team. ANI was informed by BCCI Sources that Hardik is not expected to be rested for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Pandya produced a half-century and a best score of 50* at the T20 World Cup, scoring 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57. With the best statistics of 3/20, he also claimed 11 wickets in eight games at an economy rate of 7.64 and an average of 17.36.
Hardik, who took over as captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) from five-time IPL winner Rohit Sharma during the IPL 2024, was jeered out of every Indian venue. This tournament marked his comeback. The all-rounder, who was only recently returning to action following an ankle injury sustained during the 50-over World Cup, was accused of betraying both his former team, Gujarat Titans (GT), which he helped win the 2022 Indian Premier League, and the MI franchise, Rohit. He was the target of online trolling and fan wars.
In contrast, KL Rahul did not make the Men in Blue T20 WC roster, even though he had an outstanding showing in the India-hosted ODI World Cup 2023.
Rahul has scored 386 runs at a strike rate of 98.72 and an average of 77.20 in nine innings. Rahul, who is ranked number five, has frequently held the Indian innings together during this World Cup.
In India’s opening meeting against Australia, he struck a match-winning blow when the hosts were 2 for 3. Together with Virat Kohli, he amassed 165 runs, and his unbeaten 97 helped India to a historic triumph in Chennai.
“KL Rahul will lead the Indian team in the absence of Rohit Sharma as the board believes he makes runs in the longer format,” the sources added.
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