In a surprising move, Ajit Agarkar, the Chairman of Selectors, has revealed that Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed T20I captain, is not being considered for the ODI team at the moment. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially since Suryakumar had the backing of the selectors and the new coach, Gautam Gambhir.
Middle-Order Packed with Quality Batters
According to Agarkar, the reason for Suryakumar’s exclusion from the ODI team is that the middle-order is packed with quality batters. “We haven’t discussed Surya for ODIs at this point in time. Shreyas (Iyer) and KL (Rahul) are back and they had a great (ODI) World Cup. Rishabh (Pant) is back as well, so there is some real quality through that middle-order,” Agarkar explained.
Suryakumar’s ODI Future Uncertain
With India featuring in just six ODIs before the Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in February-March next year, a berth in the ODI side looks uncertain for Suryakumar unless he performs exceptionally well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Update on Gill and Shami
Agarkar also clarified that Shubman Gill was promoted as the vice-captain in the white-ball teams because he is a multi-format player. Additionally, efforts are being made to bring Mohammed Shami back on track for the Test series against Bangladesh in September.
Suryakumar’s Appointment as T20I Captain
Suryakumar was preferred over Hardik Pandya as India’s new T20I captain. Agarkar explained that Suryakumar was chosen for the role because he is one of the deserving candidates and has been around the dressing room over the last year. “Why was Surya made the captain? Because he is one of the deserving candidates. The one we know has been around the dressing room over the last year and we got feedback from the dressing room too,” Agarkar said.
Hardik Pandya’s Fitness Concerns
Agarkar revealed that Hardik Pandya’s fitness was a major concern, which tipped the scales in Suryakumar’s favor. “Hardik Pandya is a very important player, we have seen it in the World Cup and we need him, but his fitness is a big challenge now. I think we can manage him better. He is still part of our team… Surya Kumar Yadav has all the necessary abilities (to be the captain)…” Agarkar added.
Managing Hardik Pandya’s Fitness
Agarkar emphasized that managing Hardik Pandya’s fitness is crucial, and the team needs to find a way to do so. “Two years is a bit more time to try and look at some things a bit differently. In this way, we can manage Hardik better,” Agarkar said.
Suryakumar Yadav: A Deserving Candidate for Captaincy
Despite being overlooked for the ODI team, Agarkar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir have expressed their support for Suryakumar Yadav as a deserving candidate for captaincy. Gambhir emphasized the importance of consistency in 50 overs and Test cricket, suggesting that players who can play both formats are beneficial for the team.
Conclusion
Ajit Agarkar’s statement, “We haven’t discussed him” for the ODI team, has confirmed that Suryakumar Yadav, despite being appointed as T20I captain, is not being considered for the ODI scheme. This decision has sparked debate, with fitness concerns and a packed middle-order cited as reasons for his exclusion. The selectors will reassess the team’s composition ahead of the ODI series, with a focus on finding the right balance.
FAQ’s
Q: Why was Suryakumar Yadav excluded from the ODI scheme?
A: Ajit Agarkar stated that Suryakumar Yadav was not discussed for the ODI team due to a packed middle-order.
Q: Is Suryakumar Yadav still the T20I captain?
A: Yes, Suryakumar Yadav remains the captain of the Indian T20I team.
Q: What was the reason for Hardik Pandya's exclusion from T20I captaincy?
A: Hardik Pandya's fitness concerns were cited as a reason for Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as T20I captain.
Q: Was Ravindra Jadeja dropped from the team?
A: No, Ravindra Jadeja was not dropped from the team. The decision was made considering the upcoming Test workload.
