Rohit Sharma Was Against Hardik Pandya's Selection In T20 World Cup Squad, Could Retire After ICC Event: Report

With an aim to end their ICC title drought, India will fly to USA and West Indies next month and take part in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue haven't won an ICC title since 2013 and are vying to lift a world title. They last won the T20 WC in 2007 and have their task cut out in the ICC event.

Ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup, a report has emerged which could leave everyone shocked. Dainik Jagran has reported that captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector, Ajit Agarkar were against Hardik Pandya's selection in the squad. The star all-rounder somehow managed to retain his spot.

Hardik captained Team India in many T20Is in 2022-23 and enjoyed huge success on the captaincy front. This could be one of the reasons behind Hardik retaining his spot. He also looked set to replace Rohit as the T20I captain at one stage. Rohit didn't play a T20I in 2023. The report adds that Rohit could retire from T20Is after the World Cup.

Dainik Jagran's report also mentions that the Indian players in the Mumbai Indians' camp are in Rohit's support while the overseas players follow Hardik's order. Hardik made a sensational return to MI before the IPL 2024 mini-auction and replaced Rohit as the captain.

The star all-rounder captained Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2022 and 2023. His success with GT saw the MI team management removing Rohit and handing the top job to Hardik.

Hardik-led MI have been struggling in IPL 2024 and they recently became the first team to get eliminated from the tournament. MI have only managed 4 wins from 13 matches and sit at the 9th spot.

Will Hardik take over as the T20I captain after WC?

Hardik will be assisting Rohit in the T20 World Cup and looks set to replace him as the captain after the ICC event. Hardik was India's full-time T20I captain and he also assisted Rohit in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Hardik could also be in contention to become the next ODI captain if Rohit steps down. He has captained Team India to 10 wins from 16 T20Is. India have won 2 out of 3 ODIs under him.

Suryakumar Yadav, who captained India in T20Is in Hardik's absence, could make his return to the leadership group after the World Cup. Suryakumar has 5 wins from 7 T20Is as the captain.