T20 World Cup 2024: Hardik Pandya’s place in Indian squad doubtful

Hardik Pandya might be India’s best all-rounder in recent times, however, his place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup is still doubtful.

The star all-rounder’s comeback to the Indian team for the marquee event might well depend on how well and how often he bowls in the remainder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

As per BCCI sources, in a meeting between India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai last week, a decision was taken that Hardik has to bowl regularly if he wants to make a comeback.

As per reports, the major part of the discussion in the two-hour meeting was about the seam bowling all-rounder which the team is looking for in the USA and West Indies, which will host the world cup.

Notably, Hardik has been having a tough time in the IPL with adverse reactions from the crowd who are seemingly unhappy that he replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians’ captain. The star all-rounder’s performances with both bat and ball hasn’t been up to the mark, as yet.

Even Hardik was smashed for three consecutive sixes by CSK’s veteran batsman MS Dhoni in the final over of the CSK’s innings on Sunday. The development triggered more handwringing over him.