=Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is impressed with Hardik Pandya's captaincy approach and issued a warning to team management to focus on the all-rounder's fitness "if they are going to look at him as a long-time captain".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pandya will be handling the captaincy duties in a 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka from January 3. Moreover, he will also be Rohit Sharma's deputy in a 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka later in the month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the 1st T20I, Pathan said: "I think from what I have seen with Hardik Pandya's captaincy for Gujarat Titans or India last year, I can see he has been communicating well."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under Hardik's leadership, Gujarat Titans clinched the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in their debut season last year. He also led India to a 1-0 series win over New Zealand in November last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I was impressed with his approach and composure as captain, but India has to keep in mind one thing if they are going to look at him as a long-time captain, then he has to be focussed on his fitness quite a lot. Whether it's his duty or the team management's, his fitness is crucial, especially towards the business end of major tournaments," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With captaincy, the workload also increases. A captain can't miss many matches," Pathan added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will take on Sri Lanka in a three-match each limited-over series with the first T20 commencing on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With captaincy, the workload also increases. A captain can't miss many matches," Pathan added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n