'Probably been from the IPL...,' former BCCI chief selector slams REASONS to snub Hardik as T20I skipper

Former Indian opener and 1983 ODI World Cup winner Krisnamachari Srikkanth is 'not okay' with BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar's reasoning behind not giving T20I captaincy to Hardik Pandya.

This comes after Suryakumar Yadav was chosen as India's new T20I skipper after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the shortest format post 2024 T20 World Cup win.

"I think they have gone from the feedback of the dressing room. It must have probably been from the IPL. Fitness is something that I will not agree. He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That's another issue. Mumbai Indians didn't qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well. So, fitness is something that I won't agree with," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

"Feedback from the dressing room? I am not able to understand that. Yes, Suryakumar has the qualities to be captain. I agree to that. He could prove to be a very good captain. But the reasons for dropping Hardik Pandya as captain are beating around the bush in terms of the reasoning," he added.

The former chief selector, however, didn't have any problem with Suryakumar Yadav becoming the skipper but just wanted a clear reason to drop Hardik from the contention.

"Suryakumar is a fantastic person. I like him. So is Hardik. But the reasons that they are giving, they could have said it in a straightforward manner 'we are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long term'. Make it clear. Say it without fear," said Srikkanth.

India will play the first series under Surya as T20I skipper against Sri Lanka which starts from July 27. The series will also mark the start of Gautam Gambhir's role as the new India head coach.