Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is likely to become India's next ODI, T20 captain. Photos: AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hardik Pandya is likely to take over as Team India's white-ball captain
  • He will replace Rohit Sharma, who took over the full-time job in 2021
  • Pandya has captained Team India in 5 T20Is
The Indian cricket team is set to undergo another major change soon as Hardik Pandya is likely to take over as the captain of the ODI and T20I teams. Times Now has learned that Hardik will be replacing Rohit Sharma, whose fitness has been a concern in the past one year. Rohit has missed many matches due to fitness issues and isn't part of the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh either.Hardik only plays white-ball cricket and has been a regular since his comeback to international cricket in June. Hardik proved his captaincy credentials by leading Gujarat Titans to an IPL title win earlier this year and was leading the race to take over T20I captaincy. Now it looks like he could be given complete charge of the white-ball teams. Pandya has been informed about this development and the BCCI is waiting to hear if he can play both formats or not.

Rohit took over as the T20I captain starting the home series against New Zealand after the 2021 T20 World Cup. He replaced Virat Kohli as the ODI captain in December 2021. Though Rohit couldn't lead the Men in Blue in his maiden ODI series as the full-time captain as he didn't travel to South Africa due to an injury. He also missed the Test series.

Rohit was also given Test captaincy after Kohli stepped down but his fitness issues have seen him lead the side in only 2 home Test matches. Rohit missed the one-off Test match against England due to a COVID-19 positive test. He suffered a thumb injury during the 2nd ODI against Bangladesh and is missing the ongoing Test series.

Pandya has never led a team in List A cricket. He has captained Team India to 4 wins in 5 T20Is. India's white-ball teams will next hit the field against Sri Lanka on January 3 and the squads for the series will be announced by the end of next week. Rohit is likely to make his comeback for the home series.
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