Hardik Pandya: Kapil Dev's Pick for India's Next White-Ball Leader

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] April 06: When India won the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev became a name every Indian knew. Now, after decades, he has picked another all-rounder as his choice to lead India in ODIs and T20Is — Hardik Pandya. According to Kapil, it’s time to build the team for future ICC events, and Hardik has the spark needed to guide the squad forward with new energy and a fresh mindset.

Rohit Sharma’s era ending, who steps up now?

Rohit Sharma has led India to glory in many matches. But with age catching up and retirement from T20Is, a big question arises — who next? While some names like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill are in the talk, Kapil Dev believes Hardik Pandya is the right man to carry the team on his shoulders for the upcoming white-ball tournaments.

Hardik’s IPL journey: Full of ups and downs

Hardik Pandya became the captain of Gujarat Titans in 2022 and stunned everyone by winning the title in his very first season. He repeated the magic by reaching the final the next year too. But once he moved back to Mumbai Indians in 2024, things changed. The team struggled, and fans raised questions about his captaincy. Yet Kapil Dev still trusts Hardik’s talent and sees leadership potential in him.

Will India have split captains now?

Kapil Dev also said that since Hardik does not play red-ball cricket or domestic Test matches, India may need separate captains for different formats. This idea of “split captaincy” is common now in many countries. It helps players focus better, especially when someone like Hardik is more skilled in shorter formats. Having different captains could be the best move for Team India now.

The road ahead for Indian cricket

The Indian team is in strong form after winning the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy recently. But with big names stepping back, new leaders must rise. Kapil Dev’s trust in Hardik Pandya might open doors for a new team culture. With guidance from someone like Gautam Gambhir and solid young players in the squad, India’s white-ball future could be bright if Hardik takes the lead.