Hardik Pandya has been a cricketer who always had a flamboyant image for everyone with huge talent to be a special player. After he got released by the Mumbai Indians, very few people would have imagine that this change will rejuvenate his career to a new path, i.e., leadership. New franchise Gujarat Titans did not take long to trade him in 2022 to make Hardik captain of their side.

This was a break that Pandya really needed to go to the next level of his career and it has been benefited Indian cricket as well. After disappointments under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in white ball cricket, BCCI turned to 5 time Indian Premier League winning captain Rohit Sharma to take over the captaincy for India in all three formats.

Rohit’s Indian team did well in almost every bi-lateral series India played but when it comes to winning multi-nation tournaments India’s luck did not change. This year, the disappointing Asia Cup campaign before the semi-final exit from the ICC T20 World Cup with a heavy defeat to England did not help Rohit in his international captaincy career.

BCCI now are looking to have three captains for three different format of the game where Hardik Pandya can be given the responsibility to lead India in T20s permanently.

Let’s look at three reasons why Hardik Pandya can be a more successful captain than Rohit Sharma in International cricket –

Image Credits: Telegraph India

Game awareness and fitness

Hardik has got a very smart cricket brain. He is generally ahead of the game situations most of the times and that can help any team to become successful. His fitness levels are also quite good, since he recovered from a back problem. At 29, he is way more athletic and mobile. Currently, he is one of the best all-rounders in world cricket and the perfect player that Team India needs.

Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, is below the average standards with regards to fielding. He is barely fit enough to be in the shorter formats of the game. Also, he was previously dropped from Test cricket due to poor form and a lack of fitness. This is now becoming an issue in the shorter format of the game as well. To add to that, Sharma is now 35 and isn’t getting any younger.

A three dimension cricketer

Batting, Bowling and Fielding, Hardik can win the match on his own in all these aspects. From versatility in the batting order, to picking up crucial wickets when needed, Pandya is currently an asset for the team. Further, he has a safe pair of hands and is one of the best fielders in the team. After winning the IPL, it was proven that he needed to be in the Indian team. That too, post a phase where things weren’t going right for him.

And so, Hardik Pandya came back stronger. Though he has had some issues with regards to his fitness in recent times, this redeemed version of Hardik Pandya is just something different. Charged up and ready to go!! What an all-round player!!

Inspiring leadership

Any team wants a captain who can inspire the team with match winning performances. Pandya is a genuine match winner in white ball cricket and in his prime years of his career, unlike Rohit. Further, he has already won the IPL this year. It was his debut year in the IPL as a skipper.

The confidence that can bring to a man’s game and leadership is already seen. His form has become brilliant too. Further, he now looks a much more responsible player. These things rub off on your team-mates as well.

While Hardik Pandya has been doing all the right things, nothing has been working for Rohit Sharma. Since taking charge from Virat Kohli, he has already lost a couple of major tournaments. Some of his choices and the team selection has been questioned on several occasions. The utilization of a certain set of players has been really underwhelming too.