Ravi Shastri talks about Hardik Pandya’s fitness during T20I captaincy row

After being overlooked as the T20I captain, the former head coach of India Ravi Shastri explained the future of the star everything Hardik Pandya. He advised Pandya to play as often as possible and get inspiration from the latter ICC T20 World Cup success, where India ended an 11-year ICC drought.

Pandya, who was working as Rohit SharmaIndia’s vice-captain during the victorious ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, was considered a frontrunner to replace Rohit as captain once he retires. When the squad for the current Sri Lanka tour was announced, Pandya was included only as a player. Suryakumar Yadav was named India’s T20I captain, too Shubman Gill he was named vice captain.

Ravi Shastri commented on Hardik Pandya’s fitness regime

Pandya’s ongoing fitness issues eventually cost him the captaincy. The main selector Ajit Agarkar he explained in a press conference before the visit that they like a player who is always available and reliable, which led to his decision. In the latest edition of ICC Review, Shastri gave Pandya some valuable advice to get back to his peak performance.

“I think it is (important) that he continues to play. I believe that the intensity of the game is very important. So whatever T20I cricketer is there, he has to play at his best. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he is coming into the one-day side again. But again, bowling becomes important. If someone comes and bowls just three overs when you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, the balance of the team takes a hit, If you can bowl eight to 10 overs every game and bat the way you do, I think he will play in one-day cricket as well,” Shastri said while talking to program manager Sanjana Ganesan.

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Shastri called Hardik a valuable asset for India

Pandya injured his ankle recently while playing India Cricket World Cup 2023 compare Bangladesh. This injury kept him out of action for a long time, and he returned during the T20 World Cup. Pandya showed his amazing allrounder skills during his comeback, scoring important runs and taking important wickets.

In the T20 World Cup, he scored 144 runs in six innings at an average of 48.00 and a strike rate of 151.57, including a half-century with a superb score of 50*. He also took 11 wickets in eight matches at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64, with excellent figures of 3/20. In the final, Pandya delivered under pressure, taking Heinrich Klaasen‘s and David Millercrucial wickets in the last over, which played a major role in ending India’s 11-year drought.

“So I think it’s up to him. He understands his body better than anyone. The way he played in the World Cup, especially in the important moments, should motivate him. He should not need any further encouragement to restore his fitness to the top,” concluded Shastri.

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