Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder is currently facing challenges in his personal and career life. Not long ago, he shared on social media about divorcing from his wife Natasa Stankovic. In an astonishing twist of events though, Suryakumar Yadav was appointed as the captain for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka which was played by Pandya before. This move was made by the chief selector Ajit Agarkar and new head coach Gautam Gambhir who said that Hardik’s fitness is a concern and that they need a long term captain.
To everyone’s surprise, Pandya will be turning out for his state side Baroda in the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was last seen wearing Baroda colors in 2018.
The BCCI has decided to observe his ODI fitness through this domestic tournament with an eye on ICC Champions Trophy next year.
According to former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore, it is failure by Pandya not to have shown more allegiance towards his state team as noted by him last playing a first class game against Mumbai for Baroda back in 2018.
“There are still some individuals who don’t play white-ball cricket,” he said “For example, during my last few years at Baroda, Hardik Pandya wouldn’t ever play white-ball cricket. It always amazes me how he can be called an all-rounder from Baroda while not having played any match for them! So yes, there are people like that,” remarked Whatmore on Pak Passion’s YouTube channel.
“But lately I’ve noticed that BCCI wants players to take part in Ranji Trophy along with other formats so they regard cricket as a sport. And there are attempts being made to avoid neglecting four-day cricket”, added Whatmore.
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Pandya, whose last over in the 2024 T20 World Cup India won in Barbados was critical, is part of three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
The first T20I between Sri Lanka and India will be played on Saturday at Pallekele.
