According to a Hindustan Times report, BCCI chief selector, Ajit Agarkar was unsure about Pandya’s ability as a captain as he noted flaws in his captaincy with GT and MI in the IPL. Notably, the all-rounder was also named as India’s vice-captain for the World Cup 2023 and had to leave the tournament midway after getting injured in a match against Bangladesh.

Gautam Gambhir is not sure about Hardik Pandya’s bowling in ODI format

However, he has captained India in 16 T20Is and three ODIs when permanent skipper Rohit Sharma was not available. The 30-year-old sought a break from the upcoming white-ball tour after a tough T20 World Cup campaign but the management turned down the request. He has been included in the T20I squad and earlier, head coach, Gautam Gambhir reportedly expected the cricketer to prove his bowling fitness to stay in the ODI format.

Gambhir had expressed uncertainty about Pandya’s fitness to bowl 10 overs in ODIs and asked the right-arm pacer to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mumbai Indians’ new captain Hardik Pandya has not played any ODIs since the World Cup 2023 and has also not been included in the 50-over squad for the Sri Lanka tour.

India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka, with the first T20I starting on July 27. To everyone’s surprise, BCCI has dropped Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma from any format for the Sri Lanka tour and Riyan Parag is part of both squads.