'His body cannot cope with Test cricket. Let's be very clear': Shastri's hard-hitting verdict on Hardik as next India captain

Team India is currently going through a transitional phase, with senior players fading out and a potential change in captaincy on the horizon. The debate on who should take over the reins across formats has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts and experts. One of the strongest contenders in this race is the talented all-rounder, Hardik Pandya. In this article, we will delve into the opinions shared by former India head coach Ravi Shastri regarding Hardik Pandya's captaincy potential and his suitability for different formats of the game. 

The Emergence of Hardik Pandya as a Captaincy Candidate 
Hardik Pandya's journey as a captaincy candidate began with his remarkable performances for the Gujarat Titans in 2022. His exceptional skills and leadership qualities caught the attention of many, leading to speculations that he could be the rightful heir to the captaincy throne. He again proved his mettl by continuing the same in the IPL season 2023. However, given his return to the sport after a prolonged battle with a back injury, Rohit Sharma continued as the all-format skipper. 

Impressive White-Ball Performances and Captaincy Skills 
Hardik Pandya's strong comeback in white-ball cricket as an all-rounder, coupled with his impressive captaincy skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and international games, further strengthened the belief in his captaincy potential. As the highly anticipated World Cup draws closer, Pandya has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma. However, the question remains: Is his captaincy prowess limited to white-ball cricket? 

The Test Cricket Conundrum 
While Hardik Pandya has showcased his brilliance in T20Is and ODIs, he is yet to make a Test appearance since 2018. Despite the clamor for his return to red-ball cricket, Pandya has remained tight-lipped about his plans. Ravi Shastri, in an interview, addressed the question of whether Pandya could become the Test captain as well. He stated that Pandya's body may not cope with the demands of Test cricket, but he fully backed him for white-ball captaincy. 

“His body cannot cope with Test cricket. Let's be very clear about that. After the World Cup, if his body is fit enough, he should take over captaincy in white-ball cricket,” Shastri said.

Succession Planning and Phasing Out Senior Players 
Ravi Shastri believes that it is time for India to embark on succession planning and phase out senior players, making way for the younger generation to take on the world of cricket. He emphasizes the abundance of high-quality, young, white-ball players thanks to the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he cautions against automatically considering them for red-ball cricket. Shastri advocates for a thorough assessment of their red-ball performances, the conditions they played in, their strengths, and their temperament. 

Sanju Samson: Untapped Potential 
In addition to discussing Hardik Pandya's captaincy prospects, Ravi Shastri also sheds light on Sanju Samson's untapped potential. Shastri believes that Samson is yet to realize his capabilities at the international level. He considers Samson a match-winner and expresses his disappointment if the batter does not fulfill his potential. Shastri draws a parallel with his own support for Rohit Sharma's inclusion in the Test side, highlighting the importance of players reaching their peak performance levels. 

The Road Ahead: World Cup 2023 and Home Advantage 
The upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is a significant event for Indian cricket. Ravi Shastri asserts that Rohit Sharma should lead the team in the tournament, leaving the captaincy baton to be passed on to Hardik Pandya once it concludes. As the World Cup will be held in India, Shastri also emphasizes the need for having at least two left-handed batters in India's top six, leveraging home advantage and considering the balance of the team. 

Conclusion 
The debate surrounding the next captain of Team India continues to gather momentum. Hardik Pandya has emerged as a strong contender for the role, with his impressive performances and leadership skills in white-ball cricket. While his suitability for Test captaincy remains uncertain due to his body's limitations, Ravi Shastri unequivocally supports him for leading the team in limited-overs formats. As the cricketing landscape evolves, succession planning and the phasing out of senior players become crucial for maintaining India's competitiveness. The upcoming World Cup, with its home advantage, provides an exciting opportunity for India to showcase its talent and potentially hand over the captaincy responsibilities to the next generation, led by Hardik Pandya.