The landscape of Indian cricket leadership is undergoing a significant shift, leaving Hardik Pandya’s once-assured path to captaincy uncertain. For years, Pandya was considered the heir apparent to Rohit Sharma in the limited-overs formats, a dynamic all-rounder capable of single-handedly winning matches with both bat and ball, and a proven leader with a track record of success. However, recent developments suggest his ambitions may have been curtailed.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is poised to announce the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, with deliberations hinging on the fitness report of Suryakumar Yadav. While the selection process involves making tough choices, the prevailing sentiment within the camp favours continuity, a strategy that has yielded positive results since Suryakumar’s appointment as the full-time T20 International captain.
Interestingly, when Suryakumar initially assumed the captaincy in Sri Lanka the previous year, Shubman Gill was named as his deputy. More recently, in the home series against England, Axar Patel was entrusted with the vice-captaincy, a role he had previously held. Despite his credentials, Pandya has been conspicuously absent from leadership consideration.
A Striking Absence
This absence is particularly noteworthy given Pandya’s successful stint as India’s T20I captain and his impactful leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He guided the Gujarat Titans to victory in their debut season in 2022 and led them to the final in 2023. Many believed he was the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s T20I captain following the World Cup in the Caribbean. However, the selectors opted for Suryakumar, citing concerns about Pandya’s fitness. Their reasoning emphasised the importance of a captain’s consistent availability for every match, not just when physically able.
Suryakumar has excelled in the role, earning praise for his ability to extract the best from talented but inconsistent players like Sanju Samson. Yet, the focus has now shifted to the vice-captaincy, and again, Pandya has been overlooked. While Axar Patel’s appointment reflects his consistent performances across all formats, it also reinforces the impression that Pandya’s leadership standing has diminished.
Despite this, Suryakumar has publicly stated that Pandya remains “firmly in the leadership group.” This was indeed the case during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where Pandya served as vice-captain. However, the dynamics changed when Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as head coach. Suryakumar was subsequently appointed captain, and Gill was promoted to vice-captain. Reports suggest that Gambhir’s arrival further diminished Pandya’s chances, with the selection panel also harbouring reservations about his tactical acumen as an international captain.
Adding to Pandya’s frustration is the fact that his performances in crucial matches have been commendable. In the World Cup final, he displayed remarkable composure in the final overs, delivering a match-altering spell. As captain, he boasts 10 T20I victories. In the IPL, he followed up two successful seasons with Gujarat by assuming leadership of the Mumbai Indians and guiding them to a third-place finish in his second season after taking over from Rohit Sharma.
Gill’s Ascending Star
Conversely, Gill’s leadership stock is rapidly rising. He recently led India to a 2-2 Test series draw against England, emerging as the highest run-scorer for both teams. He also served as vice-captain in both white-ball formats during the tour of Sri Lanka the previous year and steered India to a 4-1 T20I series victory in Zimbabwe after the World Cup.
Former selector Devang Gandhi has even suggested that Gill should be India’s all-format captain, drawing parallels to the era of MS Dhoni, under whom Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma flourished.
Gandhi argued that Gill possesses a similar aura to that of Virat Kohli in 2017 and has responded positively to captaincy, much like Kohli did. He commended the selection panel for their foresight in appointing Gill as Test captain and saw no reason why he shouldn’t be considered for a leadership role in T20s. Gandhi also pointed out that India’s ICC trophies since 2000 have all been won under all-format captains, suggesting that split leadership rarely works in the Indian context.
A Bitter Pill to Swallow
For Pandya, this situation presents a significant challenge. At just 30 years old, he is still in his prime and has built his career on resilience. However, repeated snubs can take their toll, eroding the self-belief that fuels comebacks.
Ironically, India’s T20I side still benefits from his presence. He is a powerful hitter capable of finishing games, a bowler who can take crucial wickets, and a respected senior figure in the dressing room. Regardless of titles or designations, his influence is undeniable. However, without the vice-captaincy or a clear leadership pathway, his role is evolving into that of a senior player rather than a designated leader.
For now, Pandya must concentrate on his cricket, building upon his form at the T20 World Cup, and hope that strong performances will reopen doors. He has faced setbacks before and successfully bounced back. Yet, each setback makes the path to leadership steeper. Only time will tell how long he can endure these blows without losing his competitive edge.
Captaincy aspirations are not easily relinquished, especially for someone who has experienced them at both franchise and international levels. However, in the current vision of Indian cricket, Pandya is primarily viewed as a valuable player in the XI, rather than a captain. Whether this perception changes in the future will depend on his fitness, form, and the selectors’ willingness to reconsider their plans.