Team India all-rounder and the current Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has recently returned from a long injury spell. The injury also kept the Indian star out of the latter stages of the ODI World Cup 2023 last year which was a big blow for the Men in Blue going into the business end of the tournament.
🗣️ “We will dissect, do our homework, and try to return better as a team.” 👊
Read Kieron Pollard’s comments on Hardik’s fighting spirit, bowling at the Wankhede, and MS Dhoni 👇#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #MIvCSKhttps://t.co/74jkwMkABe
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 15, 2024
Dismal Return For Hardik Pandya
Having been appointed the MI skipper ahead of the season after making his move from Gujarat Titans, Hardik hasn’t had an impactful return to cricket. The 30-year-old has failed to make an impact with both bat and ball in the cash-rich league which is raising doubts on his overall fitness and form.
A recent couple of matches saw him bowl only one or two overs for Mumbai and then fail to contribute with the bat as well due to bad shot selections on the given day. Seeing this, many experts are having doubts regarding the players’ place in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 as well.
Experts Have Their Say
Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle also recently said that if Hardik can’t bowl his 4 overs for the team, it is doubtful according to him that he would be taken into consideration as just a batter into the eleven for the World Cup. Hardik’s place is justified as an all-rounder in the team.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also supported Harsha’s thought and even thinks that Hardik Pandya is injured and is hiding an injury because of which he is not able to complete his spell for the Mumbai Indians.
With the squad for the T20 World Cup set to be announced somewhere in between the IPL, selectors would have to keep these points in mind and decide accordingly whether Hardik should be a part of the World Cup or not.
Hardik has lost 4 of the 6 games he has played as MI captain so far with the latest one being against MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede.
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