NZ v IND 2020: Hardik Pandya likely to be named in India's white-ball squad for Kiwi tour, claims report

The squads for New Zealand tour will be announced on January 12.

Hardik Pandya | Getty Images

All-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to be named in India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, claims a PTI report.

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Team India are slated to play 8 limited-overs fixtures (5 T20Is and 3 ODIs) in the Kiwiland apart from 2 Tests. The squads for the tour – scheduled to commence on January 24 – will be announced on Sunday (January 12).

With India ‘A’ also touring New Zealand for 3 one-dayers and 2 unofficial four-day Tests in the same period, it gives the selectors an option to draft players on immediate basis if the need arises.

Considering the T20 World Cup later this year, the selectors will look to fix the core for white-ball cricket. While the T20I squad that thrashed Sri Lanka in the just-concluded series picks itself, Pandya is expected to be included once he proves his fitness in the first two unofficial ODIs against New Zealand ‘A’ besides the two warm-up one dayers.

India A’s unofficial ODIs ends on January 26 – the date by which the senior side will complete only two T20Is versus Black Caps.

"About Hardik, it's only about checking out if he is fully fit for international cricket or not. He is very integral to India's World T20 plans," a senior BCCI official, privy to selection matters, told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

Hardik Pandya is out of action since September 2019. He underwent a surgery to treat his lower back problem in October and thus missed the home series against Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 11 Jan, 2020

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