Asia Cup 2023: Hardik Pandya continues to be India's Vice Captain in ODIs

Hardik Pandya, the talented all-rounder from India, has astounded everyone with his leadership skills in limited-overs cricket once he was given the responsibility of leading the national side in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma.

However, following the T20I series defeat against West Indies, Hardik faced criticism for his poor decision-making on the field. His role in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup that will follow, was under scrutiny and many claimed that the Baroda cricketer might be sacked as Rohit Sharma's deputy.

According to an insider from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jasprit Bumrah was expected to take up the position of deputy captain under Rohit Sharma during both the Asia Cup and World Cup.

This revelation put Hardik's bid for vice-captaincy at many claiming that he faced stiff competition from Bumrah. After suffering their first bilateral series loss to West Indies in 17 years, Hardik received severe backlash from cricket pundits for his on-field decisions and post-match comments.

However, on Monday (August 21) the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced the squad for the Asia Cup 2023. During the announcement, Agarkar confirmed that Hardik will continue to be Rohit's deputy in the white-ball format.

The announcement of the ODI squad for the Asia Cup, which will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has confirmed that Hardik has the backing of the skipper, selector and head coach.

He might have gone through a lean patch in the Caribbean but some believe that Hardik can still come back stronger, there are doubts surrounding his leadership role in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.

"Bumrah could give Hardik a tough competition as far as ODI vice-captaincy is concerned. Let's not forget in terms of leadership seniority, Bumrah became India captain before Hardik (vs England in Test match at the Oval). He also was vice-captain of ODI side during tour of South Africa (early 2022). So he is also in line," a BCCI source was quoted by agencies.

Hardik Pandya key player for India in Asia Cup and World Cup

Hardik's form will be a concern for Team India as the senior all-rounder hasn't been able to prove his potential lately. The cricketer didn't fire with the bat in the T20I and ODI series against West Indies and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has also raised a concern about the same.

Sharing his views on Pandya's role in the white-ball format, Manjrekar claimed on Star Sports' show 'Follow the Blues' that the Baroda cricketer's form is a bit of concern for the side.

"Hardik Pandya's form is a little bit of concern, his bowling because you will have to do a lot of physical work in the world Cup because you need him as the all-rounder not just a batter so at least 6-7 over per innings is what is expected from him. When India won the world cup in 2011, it was because of people like Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh pure batters who bowled a bit, so Hardik Pandya's bowling is very important," Manjrekar said.