Hardik Pandya may not be able to join the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup as things now stand.
If things don’t go his way in the upcoming Indian Premier League (PL) 2024, an already troubled Hardik Pandya may be in for a major blow. Hardik, on the other hand, is yet to produce much as a batter this season, scoring just 131 runs at an average of 26.20 in just 6 games. Hardik hasn’t really shown himself to be a reliable player with the ball. In the last four games, he has hardly bowled at all, and when he has, the hitters on the opposing team have destroyed him. Pandya has apparently received a strong message from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee, as he has been selected for the Indian T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
Some news sources reported last week that captain Rohit Sharma, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Rahul Dravid of India met at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The management brought up the subject of Hardik’s selection during the meeting, stating that he must bowl frequently in order to be chosen.
Hardik has bowled this season in a variety of capacities, but he hasn’t made an impact. He has given up 44 runs in 4 overs as a powerplay bowler and gone for 62 runs in 6 overs during the middle overs. He has conceded 26 runs in an over as a death bowler.
Shivam Dube is the most prominent contender for the position that Hardik currently occupies on the team. However, it is also said that the selectors are not fond of the Chennai Super Kings star because he only plays Impact for them. Despite being an all-rounder, Dube has not been utilized by CSK for bowling this season.
This season, the left-handed batter’s power hitting—especially against spinners—has amazed a lot of people. He probably won’t be deployed as an all-round player who can provide the squad with four overs in the T20 World Cup, but rather as a part-time bowler.
