'Har series mai new captain' - Fans react as star T20 batter likely to captain India during Ireland tour

India (Source: Twitter)

India might have a new T20I captain for the three-match series against Ireland, which begins on August 18. According to reports, middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav is likely to lead Team India during the tour of Ireland. This comes as India's stand-in captain, Hardik Pandya, is likely to be rested due to workload management.

The Men in Blue are currently in West Indies for a multi-format tour that began with a two-match Test series. The two teams will face off in a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series. Pandya will play non-stop in eight white-ball games and will captain the side in the shortest format as well. Given this, the Indian Cricket Board has stated that all-rounder’s workload will be monitored before deciding the squad for the Ireland series.

Along with Pandya, opener Shubhman Gill is also reported to be rested as both are confirmed picks for upcoming major tournaments such as Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. The duo will have to fly from the USA to Ireland and then to India before heading to Colombo for the Asia Cup.

"Nothing is finalised yet and it will also depend on how Hardik is feeling after the one-dayers and T20s in the West Indies. There is travelling involved and only a short turnaround of three days before one flies from Florida to Dublin. With World Cup being of primary importance, one has to factor in his workload. Let’s not forget he will be Rohit’s deputy in the World Cup,” an Indian Cricket Board source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Pandya's absence makes Sky the obvious choice for leadership role

Since the T20 World Cup 2022, India are playing the 20-over format without senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. In the absence of Rohit, Pandya was leading the side and Yadav was his deputy. The current World No.1 T20I batter is also the vice-captain of Mumbai Indians in the IPL and has captaincy experience having led the Mumbai side in the domestic circuit.

Here's how fans reacted to reports that Suryakumar Yadav will captain India during the Ireland series: 

Yes every player in playing 11 should captain India in atleast 1 series 🤣😝

— Tanishk Porwal (@TanishkPorwal15) July 22, 2023

Lottery se Captain choose karte h ky ye log 😭

— 🤏 ICT Fan (@tiredictfan) July 22, 2023

Ruturaj ko banna chahiye tha, same squad asian games

— Uddhav Chivade (@UdhavChivade3) July 22, 2023

Sky is the limit
No one can cross him

— Arcane (@hellimback5) July 22, 2023

Har series mai new captain 😡😡😡

— Hardiksinh Jadeja (@jadejahardik647) July 22, 2023

Surya Kumar in T20 cricket is just out of world 🥶

— Rutik Dawange (@dawange_rutik) July 22, 2023

the rise of surya 🫶🏻

— Savage (@arcomedys) July 22, 2023

In absence of Hardik, he's the obvious choice

— Hellfire  (@Hellfire_43) July 22, 2023