India vs Australia: Who will be captain of India in T20 series as Hardik Pandya is unlikely to be fit

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Four days after the ICC World Cup 2023 final on November 19, the Indian cricket team will be in action yet again as they return to the shortest format of the game in a five-match T20 series at home against Australia. However, with captain Hardik Pandya nursing an injury and unlikely to be fit, who will be leading the national team during the series?

As per the latest report by leading news agency PTI, BCCI has zeroed down on two names for India vs Australia T20 series, which begins at the Dr YS Rajashekar Reddy ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on November 23.

The report further stated that Hardik Pandya, who was injured during India vs Bangladesh match at the World Cup, is unlikely to be available for the series against Australia starting November 23 as the star all-rounder will require more time to recover from his left ankle ligament tear. It further added that the team will only be announced after ICC World Cup 2023 semifinal in Mumbai on November 15.

According to sources, BCCI is expecting Hardik Pandy to be fit for the T20 series against South Africa from December 10 in Durban while seeing either of Suryakumar Yadav and Ruturaj Gaikwad as the stand-in captain for the Australia series.

"There is some time before Hardik can be declared fit and available for selection. It would be more practical for him to try and complete his rehabilitation with a possible 'RTP' (Return To Play) during SA series. It will certainly be NCA Sports Science team's call," a senior BCCI source privy to the developments told PTI.

Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad led the national team to the maiden gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 in China after defeating Afghanistan in the final match. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav is the rightful successor to lead the team after being promoted as the vice-captain of the team in August this year.

India and Australia meanwhile are seen as the favourites to reach the final of the ICC World Cup 2023 with Australia and South Africa to play the second semifinal while India will either face New Zealand or Pakistan in the other semifinal.

- With inputs from PTI