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India vs Sri Lanka: Managing Hardik Pandya's fitness crucial as he steps into leadership roles, …
Hardik Pandya will lead India in the 3-match T20I series and he was appointed as vice …
Hardik Pandya will lead India in a 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from January 3. While the Indian cricket board (BCCI) has not confirmed whether Hardik would take over from Rohit Sharma as full-time T20I captain but he is the front-runner for the role. Hardik was also elevated to vice-captaincy in ODIs as he will be Rohit's deputy in a 3-match ODI series vs Sri Lanka later in January.
Hardik has played only 3 ODIs since he returned to IPL 2022 after taking a 6-month-long break to recover completely from recurring back injury issues. The Baroda all-rounder did not bowl for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020 and 2021 and was selective about rolling his arm over for India as he was bogged down by back injuries over the said period.
IND vs SL, 1st T20I: Predicted XIs
However, Hardik looked rejuvenated as he returned from the break and played an all-round role in leading Gujarat Titans to IPL 2022 title in what was the team's first season in the cash-rich league. Hardik's workload has been managed well by the team management and it would be interesting to see what he plays and what he skips after having taken up leadership roles with the white-ball sides.
"I think from what I have seen with Hardik Pandya's captaincy for Gujarat Titans or India last year, I can see he has been communicating well," Irfan Pathan told Star Sports ahead of the 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
"I was impressed with his approach and composure as captain, but India has to keep in mind one thing if they are going to look at him as a long-time captain, then he has to be focussed on his fitness quite a lot. Whether it's his duty or the team management's his fitness is crucial, especially towards the business end of major tournaments.
"With captaincy, the workload also increases. A captain can't miss many matches," he added.
Furthermore, Irfan Pathan said he is excited to see Suryakumar Yadav in action as the vice-captain of the T20I side in the series against Sri Lanka.
Suryakumar was appointed as the deputy to Haridk as the BCCI selectors rewarded his consistency with a role in the leadership group. Suryakumar finished 2022 as the No. 1 batter after having scored a record-breaking 1164 runs, including a century.
"I really, Suryakumar Yadav is the main guy. He has got the X-factor. He has got the vice-captain responsibility as well, which is fantastic," Pathan added.
The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will get underway from 7 pm IST at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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