Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar wants Hardik Pandya to return to first-class cricket to be considered for leadership roles. Pandya was expected to take over the T20I captaincy baton from Rohit Sharma after the T20 World Cup but the selectors didn’t back the all-rounder because of his workload management and injury woes.

Suryakumar Yadav was then given the captaincy reins and India has won 15 out of their 17 T20Is after winning the T20I showpiece. Recently Axar Patel was appointed as T20I vice-captain for England T20Is whereas Shubman Gill has been named as Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the Champions Trophy.

Meanwhile, Pandya plays only the white-ball formats for India and he last played a Test match in 2018 against England. However, Manjrekar urged the all-rounder to return to first-class to put his hat in the ring for the leadership roles.

“The dynamics of Indian cricket can change with new management in the BCCI or the selection committee. Everyone has a unique approach. For Pandya, the key will be to show his willingness to play consistently. He hardly plays First-Class cricket, but if he starts doing so, it will strengthen his case,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Hardik Pandya returned with figures of 1-6 in the two overs he bowled against England in the second T20I at Chennai. But the right-hander was dismissed after scoring only seven runs. 

Recently Suryakumar Yadav said Pandya is part of the leadership group before the T20I series against England kicked off.

SKY had said in the presser, “Hardik is also a part of the leadership group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do in the game going forward and also on the field. He is always around. So, it’s like we have a lot of captains on the ground.”

The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.