With a busy white-ball schedule ahead for Team India, management is considering resting all-rounder Hardik Pandya during the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. In his absence, the number one-ranked T20I batter, Suryakumar Yadav, might be asked to lead the Men in Blue. The team is set to play eight white-ball matches in the Caribbean from July 27 to August 13, with the three-match series against Ireland commencing on August 18. The decision to rest Pandya is part of workload management, considering the significant 50-over assignments on the horizon.
Suryakumar Yadav has already gained valuable leadership experience in the past. During the team’s white-ball home season earlier in 2023, he served as the deputy to Hardik Pandya. Additionally, he led the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma. His previous leadership stints have impressed the team management, making him a strong candidate to lead the side in Ireland.
According to a report by the Times of India, Suryakumar Yadav might lead India against Ireland in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who is expected to be rested as part of workload management, keeping the bigger 50-over assignments on the horizon in mind.
Following the conclusion of the series against Ireland on August 23, Team India will travel to Sri Lanka for the 2023 Asia Cup. The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, will begin their campaign with a group-stage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2. With back-to-back tournaments, workload management and strategic captaincy choices become crucial to ensure the team’s optimal performance.
As Team India gears up for an action-packed white-ball season, the management’s decision to rest Hardik Pandya during the T20I series against Ireland opens the possibility for Suryakumar Yadav to lead the side. With his outstanding performances in T20 cricket and prior leadership experience, Yadav’s appointment as captain would be a wise choice.
