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Hardik Pandya (Source-X)
The Indian Cricket Team is busy with the tour of Zimbabwe where they are currently playing five T20I Matches. The team will next travel to Sri Lanka for three ODI matches and three T20I matches. According to reports, Hardik Pandya or KL Rahul will be named as the captain of the ODI.
Rohit Sharma the regular ODI skipper is to be rested for the tour along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. The trio are set to return for the home season which begins with a two-match Test series vs Bangladesh.
It is already known that Rohit Sharma has already been named the skipper of the team for the upcoming Champions Trophy and World Test Championships in 2025. Hardik Pandya has yet again become the toast of the nation thanks to his heroics in the T20 World Cup.
Here are the top three reasons why Hardik Pandya should be named the ODI skipper versus Sri Lanka
3. Tremendous white ball record
Hardik Pandya is a valuable member of the white-ball team for India and Rohit Sharma. The 30-year-old proved his worth during the T20 World Cup which was held recently. Hardik Pandya’s presence was also missed during the 2023 ODI World Cup when he got injured in the game against Bangladesh. With the bat and also with the ball, Hardik Pandya gives India the X-factor. His ability to play as a finisher also adds value to the side. In 86 ODI matches, Hardik Pandya scored 1769 runs with an average of 34 and a strike rate of 110 and has picked 84 wickets with the ball.
2. Recent revival in form during the T20 World Cup
After a dismal 2024 IPL season, Hardik Pandya bounced back in style during the T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old scored crucial runs for India towards the backend of the innings and also got key wickets for his side. His bowling in the last over of the final game of the tournament showed that Hardik Pandya can handle pressure in a key game. The tour of Sri Lanka will represent a great chance for the Indian cricket star to show what he can do in the fifty-over format and why his presence is needed.
1. Natural successor to Rohit Sharma
It is no secret that Rohit Sharma’s reign as the Indian skipper is coming to an end in the next few years. There is a need to groom the next captain and there is no better alternative than Hardik Pandya. The 30-year-old is experienced having led India on a couple of occasions and the IND vs SL ODI series could be the first step towards that. Hardik Pandya will want to show his mature side as he will want to put his hand up and throw his hat in the ring for the Indian ODI captaincy.