Hardik Pandya will play solely as a player in white-ball formats. [Getty Images]
Hardik Pandya came up with a heartwarming gesture for a fan at the Mumbai airport on Monday, July 22. The star-allrounder hugged a fan ahead of his departure to Sri Lanka, where the Men in Blue will play three T20Is in Pallekele and as many ODIs in Colombo.
In a video shared by news agency IANS, Hardik can be seen giving a warm hug to the fan before talking to him for a few seconds.
Watch the clip below:
Hardik Pandya was removed as India’s vice-captain in T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav pipped him to become the T20I skipper while Shubman Gill was named the new vice-captain for both white-ball formats.
Selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar clarified that Hardik fell out of favor for a leadership role due to fitness issues in the past. Notably, the Baroda-born all-rounder missed a majority of the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an injury.
Agarkar told reporters in a press conference on Monday (via PTI):
“Suryakumar Yadav was made the captain because he is one of the most deserving candidates. We have been getting the feedbacks from the dressing room. He has got great cricket brain, he is one of the best T20 batters in the world, and the one who is likely to play all the games.”
“Hardik is a very important player. He has the skillsets, which are very difficult to find. Fitness has been a challenge. That was the thought behind it. We wanted the one who is available all the time. Surya has got the necessary quality that you need to succeed as a captain,” he added.
On the personal front, Hardik Pandya recently confirmed his separation from his former wife Natasa Stankovic. The couple, however, will co-parent their son Agastya.
Hardik Pandya to only play in T20I series in Sri Lanka
Hardik Pandya will only take part in the T20I series in Sri Lanka, which will be played in Pallekele, with games scheduled on July 27, 28 and 29. The 30-year-old will not participate in the three ODIs due to personal reasons.
Hardik will look to continue his exploits in T20Is after his heroics at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He had scored 144 runs and bagged 11 wickets in the ICC tournament. Currently at 84, he needs six more wickets to become India’s highest wicket-taker among pacers in the shortest format.
He is currently behind Jasprit Bumrah (89) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (90). Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is on top of the table for India with 96 scalps in T20 format.
