Veteran Kapil Dev Naam Hardik Pandya Once during Rohit Sharma's reign, the Indian team once as an ideal candidate to capture the captaincy of the white ball. Hardik is currently leading the Mumbai Indians (Mi) in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Hardik led the IPL title to Gujarat Titans (GT) in his first presence in 2022. This was also the first time Baroda all-rounder led the IPL team. In the next season, Titans lost a nail-boy-teeth final against Chennai Super Kings. Hardik was at the forefront to take over as captain of India's white ball after Rohit. Born in 16 T20s in a blue color and in the absence of a Mumbai batsman, he led men in three Odis. India won 10 T20I and two ODIs during their reign.
However, things were downhill for Hardik after Mumbai Indians returned before IPL 2024. The franchise appointed him as his captain, who was sacking Rohit formally. The move received widespread criticism from fans. Hardik was also provoked at all IPL places, including the Wankhed Stadium. Mumbai secured the final place on the numeral table under their captaincy to add an insult to the injury. The 31 -year -old managed to win back the hearts of fans with a stellar performance in India's T20 World Cup Triumph in 2024. However, after the tournament, Rohit retired from T20Is and Suryakumar Yadav was appointed as the new captain in the smallest format.
However, Kapil believes that Hardik is relatively young and if he is made a captain, he can gather a strong side for the upcoming ICC events.
Kapil said during a PGTI Pro-M event in Greater Noida, “For me, Hardik Pandya is my white ball captain. There are many contenders for the post, but Pandya is my choice. Pandya is relatively young and can form a team around him for the next ICC events.”
Also read: IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya says that Mumbai Indians have always been his “favorite team”
Interestingly, Exer Patel was appointed as Suryakumar's deputy in T20Is in January 2025. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill was declared as the vice-captain in the ODI format. Hardik seems to have slipped the Peking order, but a strong performance with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 may strengthen their case.
Kapil said that because Hardik does not play Test cricket, India will have to move forward with the Split-Captainy model if the all-rounder is made a skipper in white ball formats.
“Ideally, Hardik should also play Test cricket and since he is not playing, India will need several captains for three formats,” Kapil said.
Hardik played the last of his 11 Tests in September 2018. He will be seen in action on Monday, April 7 at the high-voltage clash at the Wankhedi Stadium between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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