Hardik Pandya’s chance to captain India in the T20 World Cup seems slim, says Aakash Chopra. Why? His fitness struggles.
Since his ankle injury at the 2023 World Cup match with Bangladesh, Pandya hasn’t been in the competitive cricket scene. For the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, he’s not on the list. The IPL 2024 might just be his next big appearance.
Via a recent YouTube video, Chopra suggested that Pandya’s health worries may prevent him from taking on the captain’s role for the T20 World Cup. Here’s what he shared:
“Hardik will probably not be the captain because there is an issue regarding fitness. You are not playing currently. You twisted your ankle in the World Cup. You are not playing the Afghanistan series and you don’t play Tests in any case, so you will straightaway play the IPL. It’s going against him.”
Aakash Chopra
Despite the team’s lackluster batting results in the last edition under his guidance, the former opener for India believes that Rohit Sharma will lead his country in the global tournament. He declared:
“I feel Rohit Sharma will be doing T20I captaincy and will also be the captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup. If you had asked this question after the 2022 T20 World Cup, it was almost certain he wouldn’t be the captain, considering the way the team performed as we were scoring 60 runs in the first 10 overs.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra indicated that, in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were India’s chief three. They maintained a run-a-ball record against most rivals. He admitted that, had a decision been made then, several big players might not have made the cut.
Aakash Chopra praises Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul for their 2023 World Cup heroics
Aakash Chopra noticed a change in the 2023 ODI World Cup. It was due to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul’s excellent performances. He discussed this:
“However, time elapsed and none of these players played T20Is for India. The ODI World Cup happened, where you played very well and reached the final. Rohit Sharma gave explosive starts, Virat Kohli was the Player of the Tournament, and KL Rahul did an amazing job down the order.”
Aakash Chopra
The former player, now commentator, believes India’s 2024 T20 World Cup team will closely resemble the last tournament’s squad. He expressed:
“Suddenly you say that everyone is doing well. So I feel, giving weightage to recent form, it will be an almost identical team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be there and I won’t be surprised if KL Rahul is also there.”
Aakash Chopra
Chopra believes Rahul might secure a position in the T20 World Cup team due to doubts about Rishabh Pant being available. He suggested that Ishan Kishan, another main option for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role, prefers the opening spot. Yet, this position may not be open.