Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan and flamboyant allrounder- turned specialist batsman Hardik Pandya will probably be locked in a two-way battle for India captaincy if Shreyas Iyer doesn’t get match in time for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in July.
India’s limited-overs specialists will probably be taking part in three T20 Internationals and as many ODIs in the island nation through the second half of July, when massive weapons like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will probably be in England for a marquee five-match Test sequence.
“It is still not clear if Shreyas will recover fully and will be match-fit in time for tour of Sri Lanka. Normally, a surgery of this scale along with rest, extensive rehab and training to get back in shape takes around four months,” a senior BCCI supply aware of choice issues instructed PTI on circumstances of anonymity.
“In case Shreyas was available, he would have been the automatic choice for captaincy.”
It’s solely logical that the 2 contenders for captaincy are 35-year-old Dhawan, who has had good “one and half IPLs” in final two seasons and Pandya junior, who is among the most achieved match-winners.
“Shikhar has had two very good IPL including this curtailed one and being the senior most among those who are available for selection, he is a very strong contender. Also he has been a solid performer for India for past eight years,” an official stated.
As far as Hardik is worried, his status as a white-ball match-winner can’t be discounted both.
“Yes, Hardik hasn’t been regularly bowling for MI or India in recent times. However, he is the man with x-factor and among options available. He is miles ahead of his peers in terms of being an impact performer. And who knows, may be extra responsibility brings the best out of him.”
Pandya was included in the four-Test sequence at house towards England in order that his bowling workload is elevated preserving the England tour in thoughts however it’s learnt that the Baroda man is unlikely to bowl greater than an odd over or two in the shortest format or ODI in close to future.
“Hardik, after his back surgery to cure stress fracture, is not the same bowler anymore. He was a fast medium bowler before injury but to bowl at a brisk 135 kmph plus pace consistently, it could impact his back.
“So he is focussing more on his match finishing skills,” an individual in the know of issues stated.
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