'Usse pehle hi de deni chaiye' - Fans react as Ravi Shastri backs star all-rounder to become India's white-ball captain after 2023 World Cup

Ravi Shastri (Source: Twitter)

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has spoken out on India's future white-ball skipper as criticism mounts against Rohit Sharma's captaincy. Shastri feels that Hardik Pandya should take over as India's limited-overs captain after the 50-over World Cup, which will be hosted in India between October and November.

Rohit has been India's captain in all game formats since Virat Kohli stepped down from the role. The opening batter enjoyed great success leading his Indian Premier League franchise but failed to make any notable achievements in the national team. His most recent failure came in the World Test Championship final in 2021-23. Since then, concerns about his captaincy have been raised from all quarters.

On the other hand, Pandya has been sensational since he took the helm of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. He led the Ahmedabad-based franchise to glory in their inaugural season and to the finals the following season. Given his leadership abilities in the cash-rich league, the 29-year-old was named stand-by captain of the Indian T20 team.

Former India captain and commentator Shastri said that if Pandya remains fit, he should take over the white-ball captaincy after the 2023 World Cup. "After the World Cup, if his body is fit enough, he should take over the captaincy in white-ball cricket,” said Shastri.

Shastri feels it's time for seniors to make way for youngsters in limited overs

However, Shastri said that the all-rounder may not play Test cricket again since his body fails to cope with the game's longest format. "His body cannot cope with Test cricket. Let’s be very clear about that," the 61-year-old said.

Shastri also opined that it is time for Indian cricket to slowly phase out the seniors and give the youngsters a chance, especially in the shorter game formats. “There are seniors ready to be phased out, and there are youngsters ready. No question about it when it comes to T20 cricket. Lesser in 50-over cricket and even fewer in Tests," he said.

Here's how fans reacted to Ravi Shastri's thoughts on India's next white-ball captain:

Then cricket dekhna band tab fir

— Gaurav Choudhary (@GauravC48725923) June 24, 2023

I think usse pehle hi de deni chaiye

— Hitesh Vijay (@HiteshVijay10) June 25, 2023

Prevention is better than cure, why can't he take up now itself?

— GrillChicken (@2Good2Spicy) June 24, 2023

Kya aadmi hai ye Shastri
Last year bol raha tha ki Pandya retirement le lega ODIs se wc ke baad.

— Mr Om🌬️ (@MrOm14852020) June 24, 2023

Can he cement is own place first is the question

— Sachin Kunal (@sachinkunal114) June 25, 2023

It will be another blunder ... Rishab or Iyer will be better option..

— Atul 🇮🇳 (@Atul01521171) June 24, 2023

So,satri ji is pretty much sure about #CWC23 results

— Rushabh🙄 (@sidelowerGuy) June 24, 2023

The bcci is all set for musical chair competition for captaincy of team India over the next 3-4 years because there is no groomed young captain specially in test cricket 🍭

— vishal (@Cric_aashiq) June 24, 2023

I agree, he should as he did fantastic captaincy in IPL for Gujarat Titans.
If players get selected on basis of IPL performance, so why not captain. 💯

— Abhishek🎀 (@heyabheee) June 24, 2023

Actually he should take over now and have @ImRo45 focus on his explosive batting, he was amazing in 2019.

— Prasad Bhojak (@BhojakPb) June 24, 2023