Suresh Raina has backed Hardik Pandya as India’s next white-ball captain. The former Indian cricketer expressed his opinion on the future leadership of the Indian cricket team in limited-overs formats, suggesting that Hardik Pandya should be given priority over Shubman Gill. According to Raina, Pandya possesses leadership qualities reminiscent of MS Dhoni.
India’s cricket team is currently in a transition phase. In Tests and T20Is, young players have largely taken over, while the ODI side still features experienced stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are expected to remain in the mix for the near future.
Captaincy discussions, however, are already underway. Shubman Gill was recently appointed as India’s Test captain, and reports suggest he could soon lead the team in ODIs and T20Is as well. Shreyas Iyer’s name has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role.
Shubman Gill: Hardik Pandya poised for white-ball cricket success as captain – Suresh Raina
Raina highlighted Hardik’s positivity and hinted that the all-rounder shows flashes of MS Dhoni’s leadership. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, he said:
“Shubman Gill is a fantastic choice, no doubt. But I feel Hardik Pandya can work wonders in white-ball cricket as a captain. Even Shubman Gill has the potential, but hopefully, Hardik gets the chance to lead again. He has the experience of legends like Kapil Dev — whether it’s batting, bowling, or fielding.”
“He’s incredibly positive. His performances inspire the team, and he naturally takes on the role of a leader on the field. I even see a glimpse of MS Dhoni in him — the way he communicates, carries himself, and energizes the team, I admire it the most.”
Hardik had earlier been set to lead India in T20Is ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 when senior players were rested. However, due to fitness concerns and workload management, the selectors opted for Suryakumar Yadav after Rohit Sharma retired from the format.
