No harm in identifying new T20I captain, and if his name is Hardik Pandya, so be it – Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri reckons there is no harm in identifying a new T20I captain and even if it is Hardik Pandya, so be it. Pandya will lead India against New Zealand in the absence of full-time skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been rested.

The all-rounder has impressed with his captaincy acumen as he led Gujarat Titans to glory in the IPL while leading for the first time. Subsequently, Pandya led in the two-match T20I series against Ireland and led the team to victory.

The all-rounder has shown the right composure while leading the team and he has been touted as the next T20I captain. Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth also wants Pandya to take over the T20I captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“For T20 cricket, there is no harm in having a new captain,” Shastri told select media during an interaction facilitated by Prime Video ahead of the first T20I in Wellington on Friday. “Because the volume of cricket is such, that for one player to play all three formats of the game is never going to be easy. If Rohit is already leading in Tests and ODIs, there is no harm in identifying a new T20I captain and if his name is Hardik Pandya, so be it.”

On the other hand, India’s interim head coach VVS Laxman believes the team might look to select specialists for the shortest format of the game. Shastri also agrees with the former Indian batter and feels the players should adopt a fearless approach while playing.

“I think that is the way forward,” Shastri said. “I think VVS is right. They will identify specialists. Going forward, that should be the mantra. Identify and make that Indian side into a terrific fielding side and identify roles for these youngsters who can be fearless and play that kind of cricket without any kind of baggage.”

Shastri added that India should also follow England’s template, who have been successful in turning the corner after a disappointing run in the 2015 World Cup.

“I wouldn’t like to point out anything, but there’s an opportunity with this team in the future to identify roles for players, identify match-winners, and go pretty much on the template of England,” he said. “They are one team that really caught the bull by the horns after the 2015 World Cup. They sat down and said they are going to identify the best players for that format of the game – whether it’s T20 or 50-over cricket.

India will take on New Zealand on Friday.