India’s T20 World Cup squad announcement looms just two weeks away, stirring concerns among the team’s leadership trio – captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, and selector Ajit Agarkar – particularly regarding Hardik Pandya’s bowling form. Reports from Sportskeeda suggest that they’ve collectively agreed that Pandya must showcase consistent bowling performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 to secure his spot in the World Cup squad. The spotlight now shifts to Pandya’s upcoming matches with the Mumbai Indians to assess whether he can deliver with the ball.
Pandya’s recent bowling performances have fallen short of expectations, notably conceding 43 runs in three overs against the Chennai Super Kings, including three consecutive sixes to MS Dhoni in the final over, ultimately impacting the match outcome. Amidst mounting pressure, Pandya’s overall IPL performance this season has been lackluster, with only one standout innings against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
However, the primary concern for Sharma, Dravid, and Agarkar lies in Pandya’s bowling inconsistency and lack of clarity. While many players can fulfill Pandya’s batting role in T20s, his ability to provide four overs as the third seamer sets him apart and adds balance to the team. Yet, Pandya has struggled to maintain his full quota of overs, bowling only sporadically in matches and failing to deliver impactful performances.
In the 11 overs Pandya has bowled in IPL 2024, he has managed only three wickets while conceding runs at a rate of 12 runs per over. Despite no apparent fitness issues, his bowling form remains a concern. The selectors have made it clear that Pandya’s World Cup inclusion hinges on his consistent bowling displays in the IPL, a challenge compounded by the luxury of an extra bowler available through the Impact Player rule.
Should India opt not to select Pandya for the T20 World Cup, Shivam Dube emerges as a potential replacement, showcasing his batting prowess throughout the IPL. However, questions linger regarding his bowling capabilities, as he has yet to bowl a single ball in the tournament. Other contenders, such as Vijay Shankar and Venkatesh Iyer, present alternatives, but their prospects are clouded by various factors, including team dynamics and lack of opportunities.
While Pandya’s place in the T20 World Cup squad may seem secure logically, concerns persist among selectors and team management regarding his bowling performance and fitness. The onus is now on Pandya to reverse his fortunes in the IPL, both for the Mumbai Indians and his own aspirations.
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