Hardik Pandya snubbed as Virender Sehwag picks Rohit Sharma’s captaincy replacement

Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag has backed the team management’s decision to name young Shubman Gill as captain for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. Gill will lead an inexperienced team against Zimbabwe in what could be the new Indian coach’s first series. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, batsman Virat Kohli and a host of other senior players have been rested for the T20I tour. Sharing his views on Gill’s appointment as captain, Sehwag suggested that the youngster is the prime candidate to take over the role permanently whenever Rohit steps down.

“Shubman Gill is for the long term. He is a player who plays all three formats. He had a great last year. He was unlucky to miss the 2024 T20 World Cup. In my opinion, it is the right decision to take him the captain. When Rohit Sharma leaves tomorrow, Shubman Gill will be his rightful replacement for the captaincy,” Sehwag said on Twitter. Cricbuzz.

The squad has just two players from the senior T20 World Cup squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. The rest of the squad that is part of the T20 WC is rested.

Players like Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed, who are on the list of reserve players for the T20 World Cup tour, have also been added to the squad.

Promising young players who have proven themselves in the Indian Premier League and on the domestic arena over the past 12 months have received multiple India call-ups.

Apart from the well-known international names, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag and Tushar Deshpande received maiden call-ups after their impressive IPL campaigns.

The first match of the five-match series will be played on July 6 at Harare Sports Club and the second will be held at the same venue the following day. The last T20I will be played on July 14 at Harare Sports Club.

India squad for T20I series against Zimbabwe: duhubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande.

(With ANI inputs)