Hardik Pandya was overlooked for India’s T20I captaincy as the BCCI selection committee named Suryakumar Yadav as the next skipper in the shortest format. The decision was made after Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
This move surprised many since the all-rounder was the designated vice-captain at the T20 World Cup last month. In Rohit’s absence, Hardik had also led India in 16 T20Is with 10 wins and 5 losses.
Following his T20I captaincy snub, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged Hardik Pandya to improve his fitness.
Notably, Hardik’s fitness issues cost him the captaincy, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar categorically stating in the media last week that they preferred a player for the leadership role whose availability was consistently reliable.
“I think (it's) very important that he continues to play,” Shastri said while speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan in the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well.
“But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit.
“If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well,” he added.
Hardik Pandya has become injury prone lately. After going through the back surgery in 2019, he struggled to bowl his quota of overs in white-ball cricket for a considerable period.
During the World Cup last year, the all-rounder sustained an ankle injury while attempting to field the ball on follow-through and stayed out of competitive action for almost six months.
Upon his return to international cricket, Hardik Pandya reminded everyone of his exceptional talent as he played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph last month.
Shastri said Hardik’s recent performances would be enough motivation for him to get back to full fitness.
“So I think it's up to him really, more than anything else. He understands his body better than anyone. And I'm sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn't need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there,” Shastri remarked.
(With ICC Inputs)
