Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that Hardik Pandya is the most matured captain, as the all-rounder gears up for his first tour as skipper.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hardik Pandya is the most matured captain from the younger lot, says Aakash Chopra
- BCCI has named Hardik Pandya as the captain of the Indian side for Ireland T20Is
- Team India will play two T20Is in Dublin on June 26 and June 28
Former India opener Aakash Chopra heaped rich praise on Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya, saying that the all-rounder is the most matured captain of the younger lot. Hardik has been in some sensational form both with the bat and ball and was the highest run-getter for Gujarat Titans in the recently concluded IPL.
BCCI has named Hardik Pandya as the captain of the Indian side for Ireland T20Is as it picked a 17-member squad on Wednesday. Hardik will get a chance to bring to international cricket the leadership skills he displayed while captaining Gujarat Titans to the IPL 2022 title.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya will lead the side during the Ireland tour while pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be his deputy. Team India will play two T20Is in Dublin on June 26 and June 28.
“Rise and rise of Hardik Pandya. Even though he’s captained only one seasonI feel that he’s the most mature captain amongst the younger lot of contenders. Here’s wishing him all the very best for the first assignment for Team India, ” Aakash Chopra said exclusively on the Koo app.
Meanwhile, batter Rahul Tripathi, who represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022, has earned his maiden national side call-up. Batters Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson will also make a return to the side.
The BCCI release announcing the squad has Dinesh Karthik slotted in as wicketkeeper although both he and Ishan Kishan can fulfill the role in Pant’s absence.
India’s T20I squad: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal