Hardik Pandya Asks Selectors Not To Consider Him For South Africa Tour: Reports

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is struggling with his fitness and has asked the selectors not to consider him for selection at the moment. Pandya played last in the T20 World Cup for India. He was then asked to work on his fitness at the NCA. The Indian squad for the South Africa tour is expected to be announced after the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur. 

As per ESPNcricinfo, Pandya is working on his fitness and has asked the selectors to not consider him for a while. The report adds that Pandya is also eyeing a return to full-time bowling. Pandya played his last Test in 2018 while he was recently dropped from the T20I series against New Zealand as well. 

The team management gave chances to Venkatesh Iyer in the T20Is. He seems to be the option to replace Hardik if her fails to regain full fitness. Further reports also say that he is not within the four players Mumbai Indians are willing to retain ahead of IPL 2022. Pandya, who first hogged the limelight after his debut for MI, could be roped in by one of the two new franchises as well. He had joined MI for Rs 10 Lakh in IPL 2015 auction and was retained by them for Rs 11 crore before IPL 2018.

His recent performances have dipped well below par. He scored 281 runs in IPL 2020 and just 127 in 2021. He has not bowled for the franchise in the last two seasons as well. 

Hardik Pandya Not Bowling, Cannot Call Him All-Rounder: Kapil Dev

Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Kapil Dev has slammed Hardik Pandya’s credentials as an all-rounder. He said that with Pandya not bowling he does not qualify to be called an all-rounder.

“He has to do both the jobs to be considered an all-rounder. Pandya is not bowling so can we call him all-rounder? Let him bowl, he has come out from the injury. He is an extremely important batter to the country, for bowling he has to play a lot more matches, perform and bowl and then we will say” Kapil said at the Royal Calcutta Golf Course, as per PTI.