Watch: Hardik Pandya hugs assistant coach Abhishek Nayar as team India boards for Sri Lanka series
Team India has departed for Sri Lanka to compete in a series of three T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I squad left Mumbai on July 22, with head coach Gautam Gambhir heading to the airport immediately after his first press conference in his new role. Hardik Pandya, who is only participating in the T20I series, was seen sharing a friendly moment with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar before the flight.
Despite Hardik Pandya’s valuable contributions, he will not be leading the T20I team. Shubman Gill has been appointed as vice-captain, replacing Hardik in this role. Suryakumar Yadav has been chosen as captain, with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, citing Hardik’s fitness issues as a key factor in this decision. Agarkar stressed that while Hardik remains a key player, his fitness challenges made it difficult to appoint him as captain.
Hardik Pandya joined the T20I team ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
– He meets Abhishek Nayar, the Assistant coach of Indian team. 👌pic.twitter.com/0NAxiSQcvS
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 22, 2024
Gambhir also announced that all-rounders Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate have been appointed as assistant coaches for the tour. Their inclusion is part of a strategy to strengthen the coaching team as India prepares for the series in Sri Lanka.