'Main toh keh raha hoon abhi banado' - Fans react to Ravi Shastri's views on India's future white-ball captain

When the One-day International World Cup in 2023 gets over, former India coach Ravi Shastri recommended that Hardik Pandya succeed Rohit Sharma as the team's captain for white-ball matches.

Since taking up the captaincy duties for the Indian national team and the Indian Premier League, where he has led the Gujarat Titans squad to astronomical success, Hardik has proven to be a revelation. He has served as the team's captain for the past two years, guiding them to the IPL championship in 2022 and this year's final, when they succumbed to CSK.

"His body cannot cope with Test cricket. Let’s be very clear about that." : Ravi Shastri

Many pundits have praised the Indian all-rounder for his leadership, particularly during the IPL this year. While speaking to The Week, Shastri suggested that if Hardik is healthy enough, he should take over as skipper for the Indian white-ball squad following this year's One-Day World Cup. He said, “After the World Cup if his body is fit enough, he should take over captaincy in white-ball cricket.”

Many commentators wanted to see Hardik return to play for India in Test matches. They felt that the Gujarat Titans skipper would add the right balance that the team requires in the longest format of the game. The all-rounder may have helped the Indian team, according to people like Ricky Ponting as well as Lance Klusener. Shastri, however, has stated that Hardik might not participate in Test cricket once again as he believes the Indian all-rounder's health is unable to handle the game's longest format. He said, “His body cannot cope with Test cricket. Let’s be very clear about that.”

In addition, Shastri opined that it was finally the right moment in Indian cricket to gradually phase out the veterans and give young players an opportunity, particularly in T20Is and ODIs. The former India all-rounder said that “There are seniors ready to be phased out and there are youngsters ready. No question about it when it comes to T20 cricket. Lesser in 50-over cricket and even fewer in Tests.” 

Fans react to Ravi Shastri's views on India's future white-ball captain: -

Ravi Shastri Said, "Hardik Pandya should take over the white-ball captaincy after the 2023 World Cup". pic.twitter.com/StA1ogN53W

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 24, 2023

Rohit (Vada Pav) Sharma should quit captaincy before the World Cup and let Hardik lead.

— Sunny 😎 (@being_sunny1) June 24, 2023

People hyping hardik just like they hyped Rohit
after 1 wc failure , they will bash him and will hype someone else for captaincy
The cycle will go on
The dream to win wc will never be achieved

— Bateman (@baldaati) June 25, 2023

Why after the 2023 World Cup? I guess india is ready to accept another debacle but not ready to fire non-performers and give opportunities to new young talents.

— Girish Shukla (@ShuklaG2020) June 24, 2023

The bcci is all set for musical chair competition for captaincy of team India over the next 3-4 years because there is no groomed young captain specially in test cricket 🍭

— vishal (@Cric_aashiq) June 24, 2023

Hardik taking captaincy 🤣🤣 cricket is already finished

— A B H I 🇮🇳 (@AbhishekICT) June 24, 2023

Yes, 9 months out of 12 our captain will be injured only. T20 is fine but Hardik for ODI is not such a wise choice..I doubt if he will even play ODI after 2023.

— Vats (@VatsMusings) June 24, 2023

I agree, he should as he did fantastic captaincy in IPL for Gujarat Titans.
If players get selected on basis of IPL performance, so why not captain. 💯

— Abhishek🎀 (@heyabheee) June 24, 2023

In my opinion he should not even be anywhere close to the ODI set up.

Only fit to play IPL and T20's

— SECOND SLIP (@MerchantCricket) June 24, 2023

More necessarily Hardik Pandya should return to test cricket after 2023 World Cup

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) June 24, 2023