Ashish Nehra Weighs in on Hardik Pandya’s T20I Captaincy Change

Ashish Nehra, who coached Hardik Pandya during his successful tenure with the Gujarat Titans, is not surprised by the recent change in T20I captaincy. With Gautam Gambhir appointed as the new head coach and Suryakumar Yadav taking over the T20I captaincy, Nehra believes this shift aligns with Gambhir’s strategic vision for the Indian cricket team.

Gambhir’s Vision and Pandya’s Role

Nehra noted that every coach and captain has their own approach. “Gautam Gambhir’s ideas are toward a different direction,” Nehra told Sports Tak. Despite Hardik Pandya’s past success and his role as vice-captain in the World Cup, the decision reflects Gambhir’s new vision for the team.

Agarkar and Gambhir’s Rationale

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar cited fitness as a key reason for the change, a point Nehra supports. “Hardik Pandya remains crucial for Indian cricket, bringing a unique balance to the side,” Nehra said, emphasizing Pandya’s importance in white-ball cricket despite the changes in captaincy.

Shubman Gill’s New Leadership Roles

Nehra expressed support for Shubman Gill being appointed as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs. He views Gill as a promising leader, though he acknowledges that Gill is still developing in this role. “Shubman Gill is a work in progress but has the heart and desire to learn,” Nehra added.

Future of Indian Cricket and Leadership Changes

The shifts in leadership reflect ongoing changes and strategies within Indian cricket. With Gambhir’s new approach and Gill’s evolving role, the team continues to adapt and build for future success.