Mumbai, July 22: Not only fitness concerns, but dressing room feedback was crucial why Suryakumar Yadav was picked as Team India's new T20I skipper and why Hardik Pandya was overlooked for the crucial role.
This revelation was made by Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, while he was accompanied by new Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, during an interaction with the media.
It clarified even though Hardik was Team India's vice captain during the World Cup 2024 title winning campaign, the search was on for skipper Rohit Sharma's successor in the shortest format of the game.
Agarkar's reply also transpired that the selectors paid importance to feedback of crucial players of the team, while deciding whom to pick as the next Team India skipper for the T20Is.
Agarkar stated that it wasn’t a decision taken in a hurry. Feedbacks were taken, pros and cons were evaluated and in the end there was one clinching factor, the fitness concerns, The team definitely want a captain, who is available more often than not, he clarified.
On his role as Head Coach, Gambhir stated that his priority has always been the team's interest and a happy dressing room. Because a happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. It would be his responsibility along with the support staff to keep the dressing room happy, he clarified.
Mutual trust will be the key factor, he stated. Gambhir admitted substituting Rahul Dravid is a very difficult job. But he will try his level best.
