BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed that fitness concerns regarding Hardik Pandya forced the selection panel and the team management to not elevate him as captain of the Indian men’s cricket team in the shortest format of the game.
Hardik was the designated vice-captain of Team India during their successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign and was seen as next in line for captaincy after Rohit Sharma called time on his T20I career following India’s triumph in the Caribbean.
“Regarding Hardik, he’s still a very important player for us. Fitness has obviously been a challenge for him… Then it becomes difficult for the coach or selectors… Fitness is a clear challenge and we want someone who is available more often than not….Having said that, we believe Surya has the qualities necessary to be a captain…..,” Agarkar told reporters during a press conference on Monday, July 22.
