India’s fast bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya is poised to take over as India’s T20I captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the shortest format of cricket after winning the T20 World Cup 2024. Reports in Indian media suggest Hardik Pandya will be appointed in recognition of his standout performance in the tournament, with Jasprit Bumrah expected to be named vice-captain.
Hardik Pandya played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup victory, notably defending the target in the final against South Africa by bowling the decisive last over and dismissing key batsman Heinrich Klaasen. While Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav were also considered for captaincy, Pandya emerged as the frontrunner and is likely to lead in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.
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The decision aims to prepare Pandya for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Currently, India is engaged in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, led by Shubman Gill, with the series tied 1-1 following a strong comeback by the team in the second T20I, clinching a 100-run victory.
Earlier announcements from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah confirmed Rohit Sharma’s leadership in the World Test Championship 2023-25 and Champions Trophy 2025. Sharma recently ended India’s ICC trophy drought with the T20 World Cup win, having taken over as captain in 2021 after Virat Kohli’s resignation. Under Sharma’s captaincy, India reached the finals of the WTC 2021-23 and the ODI World Cup 2023, finishing as runners-up both times.
“I am confident that under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, we will secure victory in the WTC Final and the Champions Trophy,” Shah affirmed in a BCCI video statement.
