Explained: Why T20 WC hero Hardik Pandya has been snubbed from India captaincy under coach Gautam Gambhir

The highly anticipated India cricket squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour has been announced, marking Gautam Gambhir's debut series as head coach of the Indian cricket team. The selection of squads for the three T20Is and three ODIs has sparked significant interest among fans and experts alike.

A major twist in the lineup is the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the three T20Is against Sri Lanka, a role many expected to go to Hardik Pandya. This decision has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the future leadership of the team under Gambhir's guidance.

Yadav's previous experience leading the Indian T20I side against South Africa and Australia seems to have impressed the coaching staff, leading to his selection as captain over Pandya. The omission of Pandya as vice-captain further solidifies the team's commitment to grooming Yadav as a potential long-term captaincy prospect.

In a surprising turn of events, Shubman Gill has been named the new vice-captain, adding another layer of intrigue to the team dynamics. Reports suggest that Yadav may retain the captaincy role until the 2026 T20 World Cup, indicating a long-term strategy by the coaching staff.

According to ESPNCricinfo, fitness concerns and workload management were key factors that led to Pandya being sidelined. The talented all-rounder took an extended break following a freak ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup, only returning to action with the IPL. Prior to this, Pandya had frequently been forced to miss tournaments due to various injuries.

Pandya currently stands as India's premier fast bowling all-rounder, a rare and valuable asset in Indian cricket. Given his importance to the team, it is understandable that the management would want to carefully monitor his workload to prevent further setbacks. 

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