Delhi: Former Indian team's legendary fast bowler and head coach of Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, Ashish Nehra, has reacted to the decision of not appointing star all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the new T20 captain. Nehra said that he was not surprised by this decision. He said that he understands the thinking of chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir to hand over the command of T20 to Suryakumar Yadav.

Hardik played the role of vice-captain in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and also captained in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Hardik was considered to be the next captain after Rohit retired from T20 International cricket, but BCCI has made Suryakumar the captain for the T20 series against Sri Lanka starting July 27. Agarkar had told in the press conference that the team management wants Hardik to focus on his fitness, as well as he supported Suryakumar in the new role.

Talking to a sports channel, Nehra said, “I am not surprised. Such things keep happening in cricket. Yes, Hardik was the vice-captain in the World Cup, but now a new coach has come. Every coach and captain has a different thinking and Gambhir's thinking is going in that direction. Agarkar and Gambhir have clarified it, which is good. Hardik plays less, but he is important for the Indian team in limited overs games. He brings a different balance to the team and it should be kept in mind that there is no impact player rule in international cricket.”

Nehra also gave a statement about Shubman Gill

Nehra has supported the appointment of Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the Indian team. He said that Gill can improve with experience in all three formats. Nehra and Gill worked together as coach and captain in IPL 2024.

Nehra said, “Gill has been kept in all three formats. This means that he is looking forward. Shubman is young and he will get better with time. He likes to discuss and learn from everyone.”