New Delhi

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh says that snubbing all-rounder Hardik Pandya for India's T20I captaincy was not right. Suryakumar Yadav was named India's T20I skipper after Rohit Sharma decided to quit the shortest format post India's T20 World Cup 2024 win. Hardik was Rohit's deputy in the tournament and played a pivotal role in India's winning campaign.

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"I was (surprised). Upto some extent, I was (disappointed). He was your vice-captain...when Rohit Sharma is not the captain, your vice-captain becomes the captain. But if you tell him on fitness ground that you will not be the captain - there's no T20I cricket round the year," Harbhajan said in a conversation with Sports Yaari.

Also Read: 'Everything started there...,' India skipper Rohit shares turning point in Kanpur Test against Bangladesh

"He came after winning the T20 World Cup and suddenly, it's a big setback for him. It's not right. I have great respect for Suryakumar Yadav. Phenomenal player, great guy...very selfless. Even he wouldn't have though that this would happen," he added.

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India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar had sighted Hardik's injury as the reason for his snub. The all-rounder had gotten injured during India's match against Bangladesh in ODI World Cup 2023. 

Hardik then made a comeback in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season as Mumbai Indians skipper in April-May after the ODI WC before taking part in the T20 WC.

Next up, India are all set to face Bangladesh in three T20Is starting October 6 in Gwalior with Surya as the skipper. The next two games will be played in New Delhi (Oct 9) and Hyderabad (Oct 12).

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India squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav