According to Agarkar, the dressing-room feedback was taken and Suryakumar was preferred and Hardik lost out.

Mumbai: Once Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is, the next question was – who will lead the team now? Hardik Pandya was the obvious candidate as he had previously led the T20I side. But, there was a twist when Suryakumar Yadav gave Hardik the T20I captaincy. So, why did this happen? India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed why the decision went in Suryakumar's favour. According to Agarkar, the dressing-room feedback was taken and Suryakumar was favored the most and Hardik lost out. On making Suryakumar Yadav the captain, Agarkar said, “We heard the reaction from the dressing room.

“We got good feedback about Surya and we believe he has the qualities and hope he will develop into the role,” Agarkar said of his selection,” he added.

“Fitness has been a challenge for him (Pandya) for the past few years and it was a bit difficult for the coaches and selectors. We want someone who is available more often,” Agarkar added.

Meanwhile, the Indian team embarked on a new journey under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir as the Men in Blue left Mumbai for the tour of Sri Lanka on Monday. India will play three T20Is on July 27, July 28 and July 30, followed by a three-match ODI series from August 1. Pallekele International Stadium will host the T20I leg of the series, while R Premadasa Stadium will host. 50 over matches.

It will be interesting to see plans and approaches, with new combinations.