Hardik Pandya Abhishek Nayar, SL vs IND: Hardik Pandya was following Gambhir, what was the body language of Team India at the airport? – Hardik Pandya hugs Abhishek Nayar, Surya Kumar Yadav was in full swag, Indian cricket team reached Sri Lanka – 2024-07-24 03:50:11

2024-07-24 03:50:11
Mumbai: The Indian team has left for Sri Lanka to play a three-match T20 and an equal number of ODI series. Before this departure, a press conference was held at a five-star hotel in Mumbai. Where newly appointed head coach Rahul Dravid and chief selector Ajit Agarkar answered the media’s questions, after which all the players gathered at the Mumbai airport to catch the flight to Colombo. During this, all eyes were on all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who was removed and Suryakumar Yadav was given the captaincy of the team. Before going inside the airport, Hardik Pandya was seen hugging the team’s new assistant coach Abhishek Nair. Despite losing the captaincy and divorce from his wife, Pandya’s smile remained on his face. New captain Suryakumar Yadav can also be seen going inside the gate.

The spotlight was on Hardik Pandya
Pandya was the center of questions during the press conference. Hardik Pandya played an important role in making India the T20 World Champion last month. After the retirement of captain Rohit Sharma, he was considered certain to get the command, but new head coach Gautam Gambhir handed over the responsibility to Suryakumar Yadav. Explaining the reason for this decision, Gautam Gambhir said that we had to take this decision in view of Hardik Pandya’s fitness. At the same time, the feedback of the players was also an important factor. It is being said that Pandya was probably not available for all the matches due to injuries.
What did Agarkar say about Surya?
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed this on Monday, saying that the Indian think tank wanted to avoid a situation like the one after the 2023 World Cup in which Pandya suffered a serious injury and was out until the start of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). This left India with no clear candidate to lead the team until Suryakumar Yadav was named captain at the end of the year. Agarkar also confirmed that Suryakumar has been named the T20I captain but he may not even find a place in the ODI squad, let alone become captain in that format.