Hardik Pandya Dropped, Rishabh Pant to Be Appointed as Vice-Captain of India in T20 World Cup 2024

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Original Content: Hardik Pandya Dropped, Rishabh Pant to Be Appointed as Vice-Captain of India in T20 World Cup 2024

The Indian cricket team faces a selection headache ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, is wrestling with tough decisions, particularly regarding the vice-captaincy and wicket-keeper’s position.

According to reports, a surprise move is on the cards. The BCCI might be considering dropping Hardik Pandya from the squad altogether and appointing Rishabh Pant to the role of vice-captain alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.

Earlier in February, the secretary of BCCI, Jay Shah, had confirmed that Hardik Pandya would be the deputy to Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup 2024. However, if Rishabh Pant is appointed as the vice-captain of the team, it will be a U-turn from the board.

“At this point in time, Rohit is an all-format captain. It is a collective decision, and the selectors are fully aligned on the matter. Hardik Pandya will retain his position as vice-captain for the T20 World Cup. Consider if Hardik gets injured, as he did in the previous World Cup. In such a scenario, who should we entrust with the leadership responsibility?” Jay Shah had said in February.

Hardik Pandya is struggling in the current IPL season. He hasn’t performed well with either bat or ball, and his captaincy for Mumbai Indians has been underwhelming, with the team losing six out of nine matches.