Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma defend the T20 World Cup team while Hardik Pandya throws a big shadow

“Rohit, how does it feel to captain someone, be captained by the same person, and then captain that player once more?”

Fashionably late has been Rohit Sharma. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of the selection committee, arrived over 45 minutes ahead of time for the news conference, which the India captain was in the building for nearly 45 minutes after the allocated time.

And by the time Rohit took a seat in a quite comfortable-looking leather chair and answered the opening query regarding India’s squad for the T20 World Cup next month, he looked like a man who would have rather been anywhere else than at the Wankhede Stadium.

Phonologically, he stated, “It’s part of life, not everything will go your way.” “I’ve never been a captain before, so it’s nothing new to me. Whatever is in place is in place, you follow it, and you fulfil your obligations. Only in the past month or so have I attempted to do that.

No names were mentioned. However, there were no rewards for figuring out who was being mentioned. Given that Hardik Pandya has been one of the most talked about—or rather, scrutinized—players of the season, it was not shocking that the first question concerned him.

Pandya kept coming up as Rohit and Agarkar sat there evaluating India’s team for the T20 World Cup, which kicks off on June 2.

First, there was the obvious problem—the captaincy issue. As selectors, Agarkar stated, “you want a leader generally.” “In the six months between the 50-over World Cup and this one, Rohit has proven to be an excellent leader.” We had some choices to make. Prior to that, I know Hardik lead (in) a couple series. However, Rohit’s performance at the World Cup.. As a player, Rohit excels. It’s not as though we have to accept it.

Take a leap of faith

Then, given that Pandya hadn’t played for India since October 2023, a question concerning his extended absence and fitness concerns arose. And then his dubious present-day shape. Pandya’s selection as vice captain was not decided upon lightly; the captain and selector took a long time to defend his spot in the team.

Agarkar remarked, “He has returned after a longish layoff.” “He has successfully completed every game for the Mumbai Indians.” It will be a month and a half before we play our first game. I hope he improves upon that format.

These could have looked like silly questions until five months ago.

Pandya was a vital component of the Indian ODI World Cup team prior to suffering an ankle injury against Bangladesh. He took Rohit’s place as Mumbai Indians captain a few weeks after India’s defeat in the Australian final; for the national team, this was a symbolic passing of the baton. Then, as India transitioned from the ODI cycle and started getting ready for the T20 World Cup, he was supposed to be the leader of the new players who flooded the squad.

India has returned to the tried-and-true formula, adhering to the core that has essentially not changed since 2021, after first toying with that idea. Rohit downplayed the notion of a generational shift, claiming that the personnel adjustments made at the time were just necessary to ensure that players received adequate rest.

Thus, even though Pandya had the team management’s support in the past, he now needs to get used to being confined once more. Agarkar gave Pandya his full support by declaring that he had “no replacement.” Because of the early morning starts in the West Indies, Rohit intimated that if he can complete his allotment of overs, the all-rounder might allow the freedom to play an extra spinner in certain scenarios.

There are cards on the table.

“You have the balance; I wanted four spinners and three seamers, and Hardik is here. You also have balance in the spin department with two attacking spinners (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) and two all-rounders (Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja). We may choose what to play with based on the makeup of the opposition,” Rohit remarked.

To provide some variation to a spin assault that looks similar, the team management “talked a lot” about the potential of including an off-spinner in the mix.

Sadly, though, Washy (Washington Sundar) hasn’t been given any chances. Then, Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) and Axar faced off. Since Ashwin hasn’t performed as well in a while, we considered using two left-arm spinners who are currently in the game. Axar has been performing well. He has been bowling well, and if we want to try something different, we have the option to send someone in the middle with his left hand.

If India needed an offie, Agarkar said, “hopefully the captain can roll his arm.” However, the captain was very clear about what he anticipated from Shivam Dube, the other pace-bowling all-round player, and Pandya. “Count on them to perform as they have in the IPL.” If Shivam needs to bowl a few overs, I anticipate that he will. Hardik is in the same boat. All-rounders have a big job to play, therefore they have to do that.

“There’s no replacement for what he brings to the team, especially with the ball,” Agarkar continued. He has performed admirably in the IPL thus far, and his fitness is crucial.