'He can be the ideal candidate': Former India cricketer reveals his choice for next T20I captain

With Rohit Sharma bidding farewell to the shortest format in international cricket last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces the critical task of selecting a new T20I captain. Rohit ended his T20I career on a high note, having led India to a triumphant T20 World Cup victory. Now, the BCCI must find a suitable successor to lead the Men in Blue in the shortest format.

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Saba Karim names Rohit Sharma's successor

Former Indian cricketer and national selector Saba Karim has weighed in on the matter, highlighting the urgency of appointing a new captain before the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Karim suggested that Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav are the two main contenders for the prestigious role.

"The first thing that needs to be decided is who will captain in T20Is. Rohit Sharma has retired, he won't play T20Is. So you will have a new captain. I feel there are two contenders. If we see logically, Hardik Pandya should become the captain because he was the vice-captain in the winning World Cup campaign. He also captained India in the past. I feel the preparation now should be for the next T20 World Cup which is going to happen after two years," Karim told Sony Sports.

"I feel the discussion should be about SKY because Suryakumar Yadav captained India in the home series against Australia. India defeated Australia there and he also batted well. So he can definitely come forward as an option. If the selectors feel Hardik Pandya has played a fantastic role and can do the same as a captain as well, he can definitely be the ideal candidate. So I feel these are the two contenders," he added.

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Hardik Pandya, often seen as the frontrunner, has already led the Indian T20I team in 16 matches in Rohit Sharma's absence and served as the deputy during the T20 World Cup 2024. His experience and leadership qualities make him a strong candidate for the captaincy.

On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY, also presents a compelling case. Saba Karim emphasized that the decision should be made with a focus on long-term preparation for the next T20 World Cup.