The ex-Indian coach Ravi Shastri laid the pathway for future of Hardik Pandya, a star all-rounder who missed out on T20I captaincy. He advised him to keep playing and gain confidence from his team’s recent ICC T20 World Cup heroic that led to an end of 11-year ICC trophy drought for Men in Blue.
Pandya was among the frontrunners to take over after Rohit left following India’s triumphant campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.However, when the squad for their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka was announced, Hardik was only listed as a player. The vice-captain role went to Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav became India’s new T20 skipper.
Finally, it was Hardik’s recurring fitness issues that made him lose captaincy. Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, stated during a recent pre-tour press conference that they preferred players who were always available.
Ravi Shastri gave some useful tips on how to get back into shape in his recent publication in The ICC Review.
“Plenty has been said about specific statements. So I think (it is) very important he keeps playing,” quoted by ANI from Ravi Shastri speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan on ICC.
“I also believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20Is are there he should play as much as he can whenever possible; if feels strong and fit comes into one-day side also.”
“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.”
“You can consistently bowl eight or ten overs every game and then bat like he does – I think he’ll definitely make it into one-day cricket,” he finished.
From 2018, Hardik has dealt with a series of serious injuries for an extended period.
In India’s high stakes Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Dubai that year, Pandya crumbled to the ground from a bowling strike clutching his back before being carried off on a stretcher. It was diagnosed as stress fracture that required surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.
However, he opted for natural healing which enabled him to recover fully in time to play in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup of 2019. However, later in the year he had another issue with his back and thus he needed to undergo surgery again.
Hardik injured himself while attempting to field the ball off follow-through during a recent game between India and Bangladesh at the Cricket World Cup 2023.
This injury sidelined him for many games and it was not until the T20 world cup that he played for his country again. Since then (read further), Hardik returned showing how good of an all-rounder player he could be by getting crucial wickets plus making big runs throughout this tournament. India’s 11-year wait for a trophy ended due to Hardik’s brave display under pressure which included taking key wickets such as David Miller in the final over and Heinrich Klaasen who is usually dangerous batsman.
The 30-year-old also took two wickets and scored crucial unbeaten 22* during India’s series clinching win at Pallekele against Sri Lanka last Sunday night.(Approximately same length)
Ravi Shastri believes that Hardik would have the desire to be back in full fitness judging by his recent shows. “So I think it is up to him really, more than anything else,” Shastri added.
“He knows his body better than anyone. And this, I am sure will motivate him, especially with what he did during the World Cup and how he performed at those crucial moments for India in the World Cup so that should really get him going. He should not need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top,” he concluded.
