"If Rohit Sharma is not available" - Wasim Jaffer's picks India's next Captain
Hardik Pandya, the talented all-rounder, considers 2022 to be a turning point in his career. He led Gujarat Titans to the Indian Premier League season in their debut season, which was also his first as a captain, dispelling worries about his fitness, bowling abilities, he still got a place in the Indian team.
Now, he'll lead India in a two-match T20 International series against Ireland later this month. Wasim Jaffer, a former India cricketer, believes the selectors made the correct decision in selecting him as captain, and has stated that the all-rounder would be his first choice to lead India in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
I think he deserves that. Indian selectors should take him seriously as a leader in white-ball cricket in the future, Wasim Jaffer said on ESPN Cricinfo. He said if Rohit Sharma is not available then Hardik Pandya should be the first option. If Rohit Sharma is leading the side then Hardik Pandya should be his deputy as a vice captain.
We all know how Hardik Pandya led Gujarat Titans to the IPL glory in their inaugural season. Most of their squad players are out of form at the start of the IPL, no one gave them a chance. But Hardik Pandya gave confidence to the players by believing in them and he got the best out of them. Many former players of this beautiful game said there is a shade of MS Dhoni in Hardik’s Captaincy.
Due to a groin injury, KL Rahul was ruled out of the present T20I series against South Africa, and Rishabh Pant was named captain, with Hardik as his deputy. Pant, on the other hand, is expected to join the Test squad after the South Africa series, ahead of the rescheduled fifth Test in Birmingham. Rohit will be back to lead the Indian side in England.