Ajit Agarkar answers questions on Hardik Pandya’s selection as deputy for the T20 World Cup, saying, “There has been no talk about the vice captaincy.”

For those who don’t know, Hardik Pandya was the Indian team’s vice-captain during the 2023 World Cup. Following the all-rounder’s dismal performances in the Indian Premier League 2024 as captain and batter, speculations started to circulate. Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter and expressed belief in the abilities of the right-handed hitter. Additionally, he claimed that Pandya’s versatility as a player makes things simple for any skipper.

On Thursday, May 2, the top selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ajit Agarkar, and captain of India Rohit Sharma spoke to the media. The press conference focused on the Indian squad for the next T20 World Cup 2024, which was revealed on April 30. The selection of Hardik Pandya as vice captain was one of the few changes to the original team that caused a stir in the media.

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“There hasn’t been any discussion about vice captaincy. Hardik is a difficult player to replace because he offers the captain a lot of choices and is returning after an extended absence. He has performed well in the IPL thus far, and his fitness is crucial,” Agarkar stated during the press conference.

Hardik Pandya wants to help India win the blues.

As the Mumbai Indians are battling for the penultimate slot in the IPL 2024 points table, the Baroda all-rounder is coming under more scrutiny. Despite being a key player in the Gujarat Titans’ 2022 IPL championship win, he has received criticism on social media for his most recent actions. For those who don’t know, Pandya was traded back to MI ahead of the 2024 IPL. With 197 runs in 10 innings at an average of 21.88 and a strike rate of 150.38, he has been having a disappointing IPL 2024.