Won’t be stunned seeing Hardik Pandya lead India in future in T20Is: Scott Styris

Former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has stated he would not be stunned to see Hardik Pandya taking on because the full-time captain for India in T20I cricket, saying the India all-rounder’s type is of course suited to the shortest format of the sport.

Hardik Pandya, who has climbed the ladder within the management group, led India within the 2-match T20I sequence towards Ireland in Ireland. He was named India’s stand-in captain throughout the last T20I of a 5-match sequence towards the West Indies on Sunday, August 7, when full-time captain Rohit Sharma was rested.

Hardik had earned his place within the management group after shining in his maiden stint as captain within the Indian Premier League. The Boroda star led Gujarat Titans to the title of their maiden season in IPL in 2022.

However, when the BCCI introduced the squad for Asia Cup T20 on Monday, KL Rahul returned because the vice-captain. Rahul, who has not performed worldwide cricket for the reason that begin of IPL 2022, returned to the squad as Rohit’s deputy for the continental event.

“I wouldn’t be surprised maybe not for this tournament, but in the future that we do see Hardik Pandya leading this T20 team,” Styris informed News 18.

“I think it’s an intriguing discussion because again, six months ago, I don’t think it’s something we all thought would even be talked about, but Hardik Pandya has made every poster winner. And you know, you see it a lot in football, where players of character and personality are often given the armband to be captain to also allow them to show some responsibility,” he added.

Additionally, Styris added that Hardik being the captain may have a constructive impact on the staff, particularly at a time when India try to play a extra aggressive model of T20I cricket.

“So, I don’t mind this for Hardik Pandya to be given some leadership in this side, whether now be the vice-captain or in the future as a captain because quite rightly what is the direction this Indian team wants to go, whether it’s T20 in terms of its brand, how do they want to play the game? Because Hardik Pandya certainly has the personality of today’s player, where they want to go out and expand and show their skills and really just show off to everybody with how good they are.

“And I believe that type of management really breeds itself and lends itself all through the staff to everyone taking part in with that type,” Styris added.

Hardik did not hold back when he was asked if he aspiring to become India captain in the shortest format of the game. After leading India to a victory in the final T20I against the West Indies, the all-rounder had said: “Yeah, why not? If I get a possibility, I’ll be more than pleased to try this.”

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