'He is the right choice'- Deep Dasgupta welcomes Hardik Pandya's leadership role for New Zealand T20Is

The Indian squad for the New Zealand white-ball tour was announced on Monday evening with several key senior players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli rested for the tour post the T20 World Cup. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta was overjoyed by the selector's decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as the leader of the T20I side for the New Zealand tour.

Deep Dasgupta rates Hardik Pandya very highly and welcomes his appointment as the captain of the T20I side in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma. The former Indian cricketer sees him as the potential successor of Rohit in the limited overs format given his personality and rise of late.

"I'm not surprised at all. It was on expected lines because we have to look forward in white-ball cricket. India needs to set a time frame, with the next T20 World Cup in mind. I think it is time to look forward. Right now Rohit is the captain, but to have a successor in place like Hardik for the future, I think he is the right choice. The way he is playing and the way he led his side in the IPL, he has been brilliant., I'm very, very happy on his appointment as the captain," said Deep Dasgupta on BatBricks7 presents Run Ki Runneeti show on CricTracker.

'He has pleasantly surprised a lot of people'- Deep Dasgupta on the incredible rise of Hardik in the last couple of years

The ex-cricketer praised the star Indian all-rounder for his improved game, leading Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL triumph earlier this year. Deep Dasgupta feels the decision to appoint Hardik the captain is a very good choice as the Indian ace has come a long way and is a pivotal part of the white-ball setup alongside trailblazing middle-order batter Suryakumar Yadav.

"He has pleasantly surprised a lot of people. In terms of how he has managed himself and how he has led the team, it is really commendable. Even now, during Rohit's captaincy, Hardik is having chats with the skipper. The calmness he brings in the middle, even while batting. Hardik along with Suryakumar are absolute gems. I think Hardik is a good choice, a very good choice," he added.