Gautam Gambhir's classy act makes former vice-captain Hardik Pandya feel valued in new Indian dressing room

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Gautam Gambhir showed a class act and sent out the message that Hardik Pandya was one of the leaders of the team after India beat Sri Lanka in the third T20I and wrapped up a 3-0 series win in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30.

Hardik Pandya, who was the vice-captain of the Indian team which won the T20 World Cup 2024 last year, was expected to become the captain after the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the format, however the selectors picked Suryakumra Yadav for the role ultimately.

Many believed that the decision would have come as a setback for the star all-rounder, who was electric throughout the T20 World Cup 2024. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar later said that Suryakumar Yadav was named the T20I captain because of the uncertainty over Hardik's fitness and availability.

Gautam Gambhir's classy gesture for Hardik Pandya

However, Gautam Gambhir, the newly-appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, made sure that Hardik Pandya feels valued in the new Indian dressing room. After India's Super Over win, Gambhir gave a speech, and invited Hardik to "wrap up things' before the formal dispersal of the T20I team. The ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour starts from August 2 and the likes of Hardik, Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal are not part of it.

Hardik Pandya was also all class in his speech as he praised Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant captaincy under pressure. Hardik also talked about the crucial partnership between Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag after India were reduced to 48/5. The 30-year-old also wished luck to players part of ODI series.

"First of all, well done! I think in batting first, we were challenged, and conditions were difficult, but I think after losing those early wickets Shubman (Gill) and Riyan (Parag) the way they batted and created the partnership was brilliant. When you speak about situational awareness, I think that point of time, what you both did was very, very important. And that gave us a platform to at least reach to a decent total which our bowlers made sure bowl at the right areas," Hardik said after being invited by Gambhir to address the team.

"Especially, I always emphasize on the fact that the lower order has to come and chip in and I think Washi (Washington Sundar) and those 8 runs by Bishi (Ravi Bishnoi) were very important.

"As Gauti bhai mentioned, Surya, well done on making sure that the way you rotated the bowlers, making sure, showing faith in the bowlers, which you gave in the last couple of overs.

That was brilliant. And as a bowling group, obviously it was fantastic everyone chipped in. Washi, well done buddy. When you win games like this, eventually it kind of takes us forward. We are taking step by step. But this was definitely a right step going forward for the future and well done to all the guys who are playing ODIs, kill it! Continue!," he added.