‘Fitness is something that I won't agree with’ - Kris Srikkanth calls out team management over Hardik Pandya’s captaincy snub

India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir recently explained BCCI's decision to name Suryakumar Yadav as the Indian captain ahead of the T20I series against Sri Lanka in place of Hardik Pandya, who was the vice-captain of the team during T20 Worls Cup 2024.

The chairman of selectors, Agarkar, explained that fitness concerns were a big reason behind Hardik not being chosen as the skipper. However, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has lambasted the BCCI for removing Pandya, denying it to be a valid reason behind the non-consideration.

"I think they have gone from the feedback of the dressing room. It must have probably been from the IPL. Fitness is something that I will not agree. He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That's another issue. Mumbai Indians didn't qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well. So, fitness is something that I won't agree with," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

'Beating around the bush in terms of the reasoning' - Kris Srikkanth

Furthermore, Srikkanth talked about how fitness cannot be the reason Pandya was not made captain for the series. He opined that the BCCI was "beating around the bush" when asked to explain the reason behind the decision.

"Feedback from the dressing room? I am not able to understand that. Yes, Suryakumar has the qualities to be captain. I agree to that. He could prove to be a very good captain. But the reasons for dropping Hardik Pandya as captain are beating around the bush in terms of the reasoning.

"Suryakumar is a fantastic person. I like him. So is Hardik. But the reasons that they are giving, they could have said it in a straightforward manner 'we are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long term'. Make it clear. Say it without fear.

"I have also been chairman. I have picked players, dropped players and faced a lot of criticism. I am not saying I was God, I have also made mistakes. But you have to give a good explanation. I am not convinced by the reasoning," he added.