Hardik Pandya is considered the top candidate to eventually replace Rohit Sharma as the leader of the Indian cricket team. Many anticipated that he would be chosen as the vice captain for the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 teams. However, the situation has become more complex with the comeback of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
The BCCI has entrusted Jasprit Bumrah with the role of captaining the team during the ongoing T20I series against Ireland. While Hardik Pandya was named the regular T20I captain, this move demonstrates a show of confidence in Bumrah’s abilities as he returns to action after a lengthy period of being sidelined.
This indicates that Bumrah is now in contention for the vice-captain position alongside Pandya for both the upcoming major tournaments within the next three months. According to an undisclosed BCCI source quoted by PTI, Bumrah’s seniority in terms of leadership is evident, given that he captained the Test team in 2022 and also served as the ODI vice-captain during the South Africa tour.
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The source revealed, “It wouldn’t be surprising if Bumrah is selected as the ODI deputy to Rohit for both the Asia Cup and World Cup. The decision to appoint him captain in Ireland, instead of Ruturaj, has a specific rationale.”
Recently, Hardik Pandya’s decisions as captain came under scrutiny following his first defeat while leading the team in a bilateral T20I series against West Indies. Some of his choices, like using Mukesh Kumar in the death overs and not utilizing Axar Patel for bowling, were questioned.