'Those skillsets are hard to find': Ajit on electing SKY over Pandya as skipper

Ahead of the upcoming IND vs SL T20I series India cheif selector Ajit Agarkar provided insights into the decisionmaking process behind appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the captain over Hardik Pandya a star allrounder known for his explosive contributions in the shortest format of the gameSuryakumar Yadavs elevation to captaincy was formally announced on Thursday marking a significant milestone in the 33yearolds career His leadership debut will coincide with the Sri Lanka series comprising three T20Is scheduled for July 27 28 and 30Agarkar a former rightarm seamer renowned for his strategic acumen highlighted Pandyas indispensable role within the team emphasizing his unique skill set that sets him apart However he acknowledged challenges related to Pandyas fitness underscoring the teams need for reliability and consistency in availability Despite these considerations Agarkar expressed confidence in Yadavs leadership potential citing his comprehensive skill set and aptitude for the captaincy roleLooking beyond the T20I series a subsequent threematch ODI series is slated to commence from August 1 The Pallekele International Stadium will host the T20Is while the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is designated for the ODI matches according to ESPNCricinfoBoth India and Sri Lanka will embark on this series under new coaching regimes The Sri Lankan Lions will be guided by interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya a legendary allrounder revered for his contributions to Sri Lankan cricket Meanwhile former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir steps into his inaugural assignment as Indias head coach succeeding Rahul Dravid who led India to victory in the recent T20 World CupAlso Read2027 WC in sight Gambhir wants Rohit and Kohli to be available for most gamesIndias last bilateral whiteball tour of Sri Lanka took place in July 2021 under Dravids stewardship with Shikhar Dhawan captaining the side The series saw India clinch the ODI series 21 while Sri Lanka responded with a 21 victory in the T20Is showcasing the competitive spirit between the two cricketing nationsFollowing their triumph in the T20 World Cup where they defeated South Africa in a thrilling final Indias momentum continues with a recent 41 series win over Zimbabwe in a fivematch T20I series This sequence of successes underscores Indias formidable standing in the international cricketing landscapeAs the cricketing world focuses on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour all eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav as he steps into his new role as captain tasked with leading Indias charge against a resilient Sri Lankan side Under the stewardship of Gautam Gambhir India seeks to build upon recent triumphs and reinforce their dominance in whiteball cricket setting the stage for an exciting clash of talent and strategy on the Sri Lankan soilIn conclusion the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as captain signifies Indias strategic shift towards nurturing emerging leadership talents while balancing the contributions of established stars like Hardik Pandya With Gambhir at the helm India aims to harness its depth of talent and collective experience to maintain their winning momentum and uphold their stature as a powerhouse in international cricketIND vs SL T20I series Full squad Suryakumar Yadav C Shubman Gill VC Yashasvi Jaiswal Rinku Singh Riyan Parag Rishabh Pant WK Sanju Samson WK Hardik Pandya Shivam Dube Axar Patel Washington Sundar Ravi Bishnoi Arshdeep Singh Khaleel Ahmed and Mohd Siraj