The 29-year-old Hardik will lead the Indian team for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
While Ajinkya Rahane has been named vice-captain, pacer Navdeep Saini was recalled into the Test squad.
'The reasons which they are giving they could have said it openly: 'We are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long term'. Make it clear.'
Rohit's fitness test took place under the supervision of NCA director Rahul Dravid, who is entrusted with the responsibility of giving him his fitness certificate.
The national selectors did well to deliver a loud and clear message as they sought to kickstart the transition in the Indian T20 team.
In the current season, T20Is are least priority for the Indian team with the World Test Championship points with the five-match series against Australia being topmost on the agenda.
The firebrand Gautam Gambhir announced his arrival as India's head coach by successfully ensuring the ascension of Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20 captain in place of Hardik Pandya
'I think it is important for them to just have fun, relax and be part of this wonderful set up first and when the opportunity comes, I am sure, these guys have done well especially last year and it is about carrying that form and putting it out here.'
Rohit Sharma explained the reason for leaving out Kuldeep Yadav from India's squad for the first two matches of the upcoming ODI series against Australia, saying the team management does not want to expose him before the ODI World Cup, starting October 5, and it is important to build bench strength.
'He is a brilliant player, the way he started in one-day cricket, he has been exceptional. He has been a huge part of India's success at top of the order.'
The best response to a question was the one with which he signed off.
In a surprising move, KKR's batting sensation Rinku Singh was not picked in the 15-member squad.
'Extremely grateful for the year I have had. A World Cup victory would have been nice but as a team, throughout the year, whether red ball or white ball cricket, the team came together really well'
India start as the big favourites in both the white ball series and it will take a Herculean effort from Sri Lanka to upset the odds.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya was named as India's T20I captain for the three-match series against Sri Lanka, with Rohit Sharma retaining the ODI leadership role.
Rohit feels Rishabh certainly does need a bit more confidence while going for the big hits.
India's Test captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday asserted that he will play in the three-match ODI series in South Africa next month, putting to rest speculations about his availability and his equation with newly-appointed white-ball skipper Rohit Sharma.
'It is long time to go for the (T20) World Cup, so early days to talk about how our batting will look like'
Rohit Sharma's hopes of a Test comeback took a slight jolt as he was dismissed for a duck on the third and final day of the warm-up match between Board President's XI and South Africa.
Kuldeep Yadav wrecked England's top order and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin polished off the tail to bundle out England in just over two sessions.
'Hardik is also a part of leading 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. It's like we have a lot of captains on the ground.'
Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram explained how Bumrah's release point is at least a foot closer to the batters than any other bowler, making it that much difficult to pick the length.
K L Rahul has been ruled out of after failing to recover from injury to his right quadriceps
Rishabh Pant released by DC, Heinrich Klaasen pips Virat Kohli in retention price
Very emotional after the last six months: Hardik Pandya after India's T20 WC win
Rohit Sharma is not averse to playing three spinners against Pakistan on a huge Motera ground with big square boundaries.
India captain Virat Kohli will end the year as the top ranked batsman while Ajinkya Rahane slipped a rung to be seventh in the latest ICC Test rankings issued on Tuesday. Kohli (928) remained 17 points ahead of Australia's Steve Smith who occupied the second spot while New Zealand skipper Kane Willamson (864) ends the year at number three.
Rohit and vice-captain Rahane added 162 runs for the fourth wickets as India scored 300 for 6 at stumps
Cheteshwar Pujara has made a comeback to India's Test team while youngsters Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh have received an India call-up as the selection committee on Sunday named the squad for the five-match T20I series against South African in June and the one-off Test against England in July.
"Stunning day at the beach with the boys," Kohli posted
A veteran of 304 ODIs, 58 T20Is and 40 Tests also clarified that he has "never believed" in any kind of discrimination.
In terms of sheer numbers there is not much to choose between the two wicketkeepers.
Axar Patel made an expected comeback to the side for the first two Tests against England.
It is understood that the controversy has not gone down well with the travelling team and it is not amused with how Cricket Australia has so far handled the issue.
The Pat Cummins-led side is in the midst of an intense battle between multiple teams who are bidding for spots in the final four, with Rajasthan Royals (16 points), Kolkata Knight Riders (14 points) and Lucknow Super Giants (12 points) placed above SRH.
Shikhar Dhawan has been named as the replacement for the injured Murali Vijay for India's upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka.
Rohit has joined an upbeat Indian team for the last two matches and Lyon is aware of the threat the batsman can pose with his wide range of strokes.
No place for Dhawan, Tilak Varma included in 17-man squad.
Prithvi Shaw, who last played for India in October 2018, returns to the side after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the ODI and Test series due to a left calf muscle strain.
Rohit Sharma will bat at the top of the innings.
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