Hardik Pandya was nominated T20I captain in absence of Rohit Sharma, should be given baton first: Anjum Chopra

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As India wait for the appointment of their new T20I captain, Anjum Chopra has opined that Hardik Pandya should be named the successor of retired Rohit Sharma because he was nominated the captain once Rohit took a sabbatical from T20I cricket after India's semi-final defeat at the T20 World Cup 2022.

In an exclusive interview with MyKhel.com, former India Women captain Anjum Chopra had a straightforward answer when asked about the ongoing toss up between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.

"No, I don't have any thoughts on it because I think he was the nominated captain. I mean, I don't have a thought against it or for it, because the reason was the nominated captain for the Indian team because he got injured. Then Surya took over in South Africa. If I remember correctly earlier this year in South Africa. So I think last year before the World Cup happened, he was the one who was chosen as the captain. You would want to give it to Hardik first," Anjum Chopra told MyKhel.com.

'Being designated vice-captain doesn't matter much but...'

Anjum Chopra also minced no words in stating that she does not back the idea of a vice-captain necessarily getting promoted to the captaincy role. Notably, Hardik Pandya was India's vice-captain at the T20 World Cup 2024.

However, the cricketer-turned-commentator reckoned that the bigger reason for Hardik to take over India's T20I captaincy was the decision of the selectors to first go to him when Rohit Sharma took the decision to not play T20I matches for more than a year.

The BCCI selection committee named Hardik Pandya the captain and many believed he would be leading India at the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Hardik Pandya got injured during the ODI World Cup 2023, and remained out of action until the IPL 2024.

Suryakumar Yadav led India in a couple of series in Hardik's absence, before Rohit Sharma himself returned to take back his throne. BCCI secretary Jay Shah made the announcement of Rohit leading at the T20 World Cup 2024 months before the start of the ICC showpiece event.

"I don't pay much heed to the fact. I mean, you can always have a vice-captain getting promoted, but I think it's because Hardik was the nominated captain, that's why he was given the vice-captaincy role and that's fair.

"I think, yeah, Hardik will take the mantle. As I said last year, he was a nominated captain, he got injured, did not play and all those things but I feel it's absolutely fair to give it to him. If India selectors had not given it to him, and given it to Surya, then my answer would have been Surya. But then they've given it to him. So I think one should go back to him and give that respect and honour," Anjum added.

Further, Anjum Chopra stated that world champions India were lucky to have several leaders and match-winners in the team. She pointed out that Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill have all led India in the past. The former southpaw also had a mention for Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson.

"At the end of the day, I think now, because we are world champions, we have match winners in our team, we have captains in our team. Imagine we have Surya, we have Rishabh, we have Hardik, we have Shubman, we have Bumrah. We have five which we can count clearly. Sanju if he makes it to the team. But at least we have five who have led the Indian team. So at least we have that option, and people have taken responsibility leading India. So that matters and is a good thing."

BCCI's selection meeting for the Sri Lanka tour was reportedly postponed on Wednesday. The air around India's next T20I captain is expected to get cleared by the end of this week.