Could Hardik Pandya be India’s next ODI captain? What seems like an impossible twist could be on the verge of becoming a reality. After being stripped of his vice-captaincy and leadership role due to fitness concerns, Hardik Pandya was seemingly left out of India’s leadership race. Yet, Gautam Gambhir, the newly-appointed head coach of the Indian team, is reportedly backing Pandya for a sensational comeback—but there’s a catch. Pandya could take over as captain if India fails to live up to its lofty standards in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The cricket world was stunned when Pandya, a star all-rounder with explosive batting and bowling skills, was demoted from the vice-captain role and replaced by Shubman Gill in the ODIs. In T20Is, his vice-captaincy was handed to Axar Patel during the recent England series. But it’s not over for Pandya just yet. According to reports, Gambhir is keen on reinstating Pandya as the leader if India stumbles in the Champions Trophy. His recent form has been excellent, making a compelling case for a leadership role despite the fitness setbacks that initially derailed his career.
What’s more intriguing is the growing discontent among BCCI officials who feel that Pandya was unfairly stripped of his leadership duties in the first place. With Suryakumar Yadav’s slump and Rohit Sharma’s leadership under scrutiny, the stage is set for a leadership reshuffle. If India falters, Pandya could be the one to steer the ship back on course.
It’s not just a comeback—it’s a potential leadership revolution. Hardik Pandya, once on the sidelines, could soon be leading India to glory. Is this the comeback story of a lifetime? Only time will tell!
