Hardik Pandya has scripted an incredible comeback in the cricket world over the last two years. At the start of 2022, many fans felt that injury had ended his career. Some fans even touted Venkatesh Iyer to become the next top all-rounder of the Indian cricket team.
However, in IPL 2022, Pandya made one of the best comebacks in modern era’s history by leading the Gujarat Titans to the championship. Soon after, BCCI named him the captain for the Ireland series. Since then, Pandya has captained India in white-ball matches whenever Rohit Sharma is unavailable.
Interestingly, a few players who made their debut for India before Hardik Pandya have played under his leadership as well. Here’s a list of five such names.
1. Sanju Samson is playing under captaincy of Hardik Pandya
Sanju Samson is trying to cement his place in the Indian team right now. The wicketkeeper batter made his T20I debut back on July 19, 2015. Hardik received his debut T20I cap on January 26, 2016.
2. Axar Patel is playing under captaincy of Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel made his ODI debut for India in June 2014. The all-rounder was a part of the Indian squad which participated in Cricket World Cup 2015. Right now, he is playing T20Is against West Indies under Pandya’s captaincy.
3. Yuzvendra Chahal
Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal made his ODI debut for India against Zimbabwe on June 11, 2016. Pandya made his ODI debut on October 16, 2016. In the ODI series against West Indies, Chahal was a part of the squad under Pandya’s captaincy.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar started his career against Pakistan in 2012/13. The right-arm pacer played his last T20I series for India against New Zealand under Hardik’s captaincy. After that series, Kumar has not received another opportunity to play.
5. Dinesh Karthik
Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik played in India’s first-ever T20I match back in 2006. Karthik also played under Hardik’s captaincy during the West Indies tour last year.
