Why was Hardik Pandya not made the captain after the T20 World Cup? Why was Axar Patel chosen as vice-captain in the T20 series against England while Pandya was available? These questions are troubling cricket fans right now. Hardik Pandya was seen as a leader even before the 2022 World Cup.

The Champion all-rounder led Team India in several matches in the absence of Rohit Sharma, and his captaincy record was impressive. However, after getting injured in the 2023 World Cup, Pandya suddenly disappeared from the leadership group. When Rohit Sharma retired after winning the 2024 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav was made captain, not Hardik Pandya. Now, not making him the vice-captain of the T20 team is puzzling even for Dinesh Karthik.

Karthik Questions Hardik Pandya’s Removal as Vice-Captain

Karthik, speaking on Cricbuzz, expressed confusion over Hardik Pandya’s removal from the vice-captaincy role. He said, “I really don’t know. I don’t understand why the vice-captaincy was taken away from Hardik. I don’t see any reason. He has performed well and won the bilateral matches in which he was vice-captain. I don’t know anything about this.”

The Potential Vice-Captaincy Decision for Champions Trophy 2025

With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching on February 19, India is expected to announce its squad soon. Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain of the ODI team, is recovering from an injury. If he isn’t selected for the tournament, it remains to be seen whether Hardik Pandya will be chosen as the vice-captain.

Pandya’s record as T20I captain is impressive. He has led India in 16 matches, securing 11 victories, with three series wins out of four under his captaincy.

Indian Team Squad for T20I Against England:

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakraborty, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper)

India’s Probable Playing XI for the First T20I Against England:

Sanju Samson(WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy/Washington Sundar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty