Follow UsHardik Pandya, who was the vice-captain at India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, was set to be Rohit Sharma's successor to take over the T20 International (T20I) captaincy. However, the new management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir went in with Suryakumar Yadav to lead the side in the shortest format. Hardik played a key role with both bat and ball to help India to their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. But chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Hardik's injury concerns were the main reason behind him not being considered and wanted someone who is available for most matches, if not all.
Former head coach Ravi Shastri, however, believes that Hardik has a key role to play in both white-ball formats, provided he keeps fit. “I think [it's] very important that he continues to play,” Shastri said in the latest edition of 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.”
Hardik's injury issues started in 2018 when he collapsed while bowling against Pakistan in an Asia Cup fixture. He returned for the 2019 World Cup, managing the injury without surgery, but the injury resurfaced later that year, and he had to go under the knife.
More recently, the all-rounder sustained an ankle injury during the 2023 World Cup and could only return to the side for the T20 World Cup, where his exceptional spell in the final saw India get over the line against South Africa.
Hardik showed his brilliance with both bat and ball once again in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on July 28 (Sunday), where he picked up 2/23 and slammed an unbeaten 22 of nine to help India take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. "I think it's up to him really, more than anything else,” Shastri added.
“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.”
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