Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) on Monday (February 7) announced Baroda’s 20-member squad for the first phase of the Ranji Trophy 2022 and all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s name is missing from the list.
Kedar Devdhar was named skipper of the Baroda team while Vishnu Solanki was appointed his deputy.
Notably, Hardik has been in and out of Team India due to fitness issues lately. After going through back surgery in 2019, he has struggled to bowl his full quota of overs regularly.
Pandya was last seen in action during the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, wherein he bowled only four overs and failed to claim a wicket. His selection in the showpiece event also drew criticism as many were of the opinion that an unfit cricketer shouldn't be a part of the squad.
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Subsequently, the 28-year-old was dropped from the home T20I series against New Zealand in November last year. Moreover, it was also reported that Hardik has asked the selectors to not consider him for selection for time being given that he is focused on working on his bowling fitness.
It is worth mentioning here that Hardik Pandya, who will lead the Ahmedabad-based franchise in the IPL 2022, had also opted out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021-22.
Now, according to a PTI report, Hardik will return to competitive cricket in the Indian Premier League. He was roped in by the CVC-owned Ahmedabad franchise for INR 15 crore last month.
Speaking to PTI, BCCI President Saurav Ganguly last week said that he expects Hardik Pandya to play in the Ranji Trophy.
“Hardik was injured and a break was given to him to completely recover, so that he can continue to serve Indian cricket for a long period of time. I believe I will see him play some Ranji Trophy to start with. I expect him to bowl a lot more overs and his body will get stronger,” Ganguly said.
Hardik's brother, Krunal Pandya has also been included in Baroda’s squad for the Ranji Trophy 2022, which will be held in two phases, with the first one set to get underway on February 10.
Baroda Squad: Kedar Dhevdhar, Vishnu Solanki, Pratyush Kumar, Shivalik Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Abhimanyusingh Rajput, Dhruv Patel, Mitesh Patel, Lukman Meriwala, Babasafikhan Pathan (wk), Atit Sheth, Bhargav Bhatt, Parth Kohli, Shashwat Rawat, Soyeb Sopariya, Kartik Kakade, Gurjindersingh Mann, Jyotsnil Singh, Ninad Rathwa, Akshay More.
(With PTI inputs)
