Hardik Pandya’s Selection In India’s T20 World Cup 2021 Team Comes Under Scrutiny

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That Hardik Pandya , the next Kapil Dev (as some say) was a failure in the Sri Lanka series under Shikhar Dhawan is known to all. The X factor adage that is attributed to him was nowhere to be seen in that short series. he scored mere 29 runs and took three wickets.

He is yet to play in the IPL 2021 in UAE so far. Pandya has missed Mumbai Indians’ first two matches in the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Dubai and one is not sure when the five-time IPL champions, who are struggling to qualify for the Play-offs this season, will field him.

This has raised a pertinent question : Is he fit or not ? If not then why is he in the India’s T20 World Cup side ? Does it mean Mumbai Indians players have special criteria ? where performance and fitness simply do not matter. Adding to the suspense is Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach Shane Bond has refused to give a deadline as to when Pandya will be able to play an IPL match.

Former India wicket- Keeper Saba Karim has raised finger at Hardik’s selection in Indian team for the T20 World Cup. He reportedly said : “If he was carrying an injury, then why was he selected in the national team? Generally, the rule is that if you are not fit, you have to go to NCA (National Cricket Academy) to prove your match fitness. Only then are you available for selection.”

Hardik’s selection is indeed baffling when likes of Shikhar Dhawan miss out and impressive Shardul Thakur , Deepak Chahar, Shreyas Iyer are named stand- by players. Clearly the selection committee headed by Chetan Sharma and the BCCI have a lot to answer on Hardik Pandya.