New India head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly had a very important call with all-rounder Hardik Pandya clearing things about his status when it comes to selection in ODI cricket.
Recently, Hardik Pandya lost the race for India’s T20I captaincy to Suryakumar Yadav and lost his vice-captaincy in both ODIs and T20Is. It has been reported that the final call to name Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain over Hardik was taken by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
And now a BCCI official has revealed that Hardik Pandya’s ODI spot in the Indian team is also not guaranteed. Hardik, whose decision to take a voluntary vacation from the Sri Lanka ODIs was not received well by some members of the selection committee, has been apprised of the team management's plans.
Hardik Pandya’s struggles to remain fully fit and injury-free for a long period have worked against him. When the selectors informed Hardik on Tuesday that they were looking beyond him for captaincy, they also stated that they still saw him as a valuable asset as a fast-bowling all-rounder.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that all players will have to make themselves available for domestic cricket if they want to make a comeback to the Indian side after an injury layoff. Certain exceptions are in place for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. But Pandya is not a part of that privileged group.
And Hardik Pandya needs to show the selectors and team management that he can bowl his quota of 10 overs without struggling or getting injured.
During this call, Gautam Gambhir informed Hardik that he had to play Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda to prove his bowling fitness.
"Hardik was also reminded by Gambhir on the call, that he was looking forward to seeing him bowl his full quota in ODIs," a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.
Hardik’s last ODI came in the World Cup 2023, against Bangladesh. His tournament was cut short when he twisted his ankle while bowling in that match and he had to miss the subsequent tour of South Africa.
Hardik proved his fitness by playing the entire IPL 2024 and was an automatic pick in India’s T20 World Cup squad. He played an important role in India’s title win.
But the selectors and coach Gambhir are still not convinced that his body is ready to take the grinds of an ODI. Pandya's next opportunity to demonstrate his fitness will be in three ODIs against England in January.
However, if he wants to be considered for the Champions Trophy in February next year, he will have to do well in the domestic season.
