Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup Selection Done Under Pressure? Jay Shah Answers
Hardik Pandya selection for T20 WC under scrutiny (x.com)
The T20 World Cup 2024 is knocking at the door despite the Indian Premier League (IPL) being in full flow, the fans and cricket fraternity are gearing up for a cricket extravaganza that is scheduled to take place next month jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.
India's 15-member squad was announced on April 30, 2024, with Rohit Sharma appointed as the captain and Hardik Pandya given the responsibility of the vice-captain.
Though the team selected for the marquee tournament had certain expected names like Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, the omission of certain players like Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill raised eyebrows.
Questions were being raised on the selectors regarding the inclusion of out-of-form Hardik Pandya in the World Cup squad.
A report that earlier went viral claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma were not in support for the selection of the Mumbai Indians all-rounder.
Jay Shah Opines Reason For Selection Of Hardik In The T20 WC Squad
In a recent press conference talking to the Times of India, BCCI secretary Jay Shah revealed that the selectors can't just select players on the form in the IPL they also need to consider other factors in their mind.
The selection of Hardik Pandya in the team has been done taking into consideration the overseas experience that the player has for making a place in the T20 World Cup Squad.
"It has a good balance between form and experience. The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary," he said.
He was appointed the captain of Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2024 but from that time onwards nothing has turned out in favour for him. The franchise has had a disappointing season in IPL 2024 and was the first team to be eliminated from the race for the playoffs.
Hardik Pandya's form in the IPL is also under scrutiny as he has just scored 200 runs in 13 matches with an average of 18.18. With the ball, he has scalped just 11 wickets in 13 fixtures with an economy of 10.59 so far.