New Delhi: Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has had a lot to deal with both on and off the field in the last few weeks. Despite winning the T20 World Cup 2024 with India where he was one of the key players in the team, Hardik has not enjoyed the best of days after the tournament. He recently announced separation from his wife Natasa Stankovic and was also pipped by Suryakumar Yadav for T20I captaincy.
Hardik was the favourite to take over as India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired from the shortest format. However, the selectors and the team management preferred Suryakumar over the star all-rounder owing to his poor injury and fitness track record. While explaining the decision to not appoint him as captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar also expressed concerns over Hardik’s fitness.
Recently reports also claimed that Hardik might have to play for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove his bowling fitness after pulling out of the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. With India not playing any ODIs in the remainder of 2024, Hardik’s selection in the Champions Trophy 2025 might depend on his bowling fitness.
Amid the reports, former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore slammed Hardik for his prolonged absence in domestic cricket. Hardik, who represents Baroda in the domestic circuit, last played for the team in 2018. Criticising him, Whatmore said he is amused at times when Hardik is referred to as an ‘all-rounder from Baroda’.
“There’s still some individuals who don’t play white-ball cricket. For example, in my last few years in Baroda, Hardik Pandya wouldn’t ever play white-ball cricket. It always amuses me that he’s termed as the all-rounder from Baroda but he hasn’t played for Baroda for years! So, yes, there are some who don’t do that,” Whatmore said on Pak Passion’s YouTube channel.
“But recently, I’ve seen that the BCCI have been keen that players participate in the Ranji Trophy as well as other two formats to ensure they see cricket as sports. Efforts are made to make sure 4-day cricket is not neglected,” he added.
Hardik has been previously too criticised by many on several occasions for ignoring domestic cricket and prioritising IPL. The all-rounder, who picked up an injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup last year, made his comeback for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 and went on to feature in the T20 World Cup 2024 for India without playing any domestic matches for Baroda.
Pressure intensifies on Hardik ahead of Sri Lanka series
Hardik will be under immense pressure to deliver for India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka where he will be playing under his Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar’s captaincy. India will play three T20Is against the hosts followed by three ODIs. The T20I series is set to get underway on July 27.
Many expected Hardik to be the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team when he was removed from captaincy. However, the all-rounder will feature as a player with Shubman Gill getting the nod ahead of him as the vice-captain of India in both ODIs and T20Is.
Former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore lashed out at Hardik Pandya for his prolonged absence from domestic cricket while expressing surprise that the Team India star is called ‘an all-rounder from Baroda’. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
