Why Shubman Gill Was Chosen Vice-Captain Over Hardik Pandya for T20Is vs Sri Lanka

Gautam Gambhir, India’s newly appointed head coach, has made a significant move by selecting Shubman Gill as the vice-captain for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, instead of Hardik Pandya. This decision aligns with the strategy laid out by Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who aim to build a team with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The T20I series, starting on July 27, will be a crucial part of this preparation. The matches are scheduled to take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with additional games on July 28 and 30. The ODIs will follow, held on August 2, 4, and 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The decision to make Suryakumar Yadav the T20I captain and Shubman Gill the vice-captain marks a new direction for the team. Under Gambhir’s previous leadership, Yadav, popularly known as ‘SKY’, was a standout performer for Kolkata Knight Riders, where Gambhir frequently praised him for his finishing abilities.

Hardik Pandya, who had served as vice-captain in the T20 World Cup-winning squad and in the 50-over World Cup last year, was informed of this decision by Agarkar and Gambhir. Despite his significant contributions, Pandya’s frequent injury issues—he played only 46 out of 79 T20I matches since January 1, 2022—played a role in this decision. In contrast, Yadav’s consistent availability and performance made him a strong candidate for the leadership role.

Pandya remains part of the T20 squad but will not participate in the ODI series due to personal reasons. The move to appoint Gill as vice-captain signifies the selectors’ intention to explore new leadership options and prepare for future challenges.