Hardik Pandya's T20 World Cup fate decided based on his bowling fitness: Report

India captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar recently met in Mumbai to discuss India’s T20 World Cup squad, as per the report of The Indian Express. The main agenda for the meeting in the middle of IPL 2024 was Hardik Pandya’s place in the World Cup squad as well.

While there is still some time before India’s final 15-member squad announcement for the mega event, the Indian team management is concerned about Hardik’s bowling fitness. According to the report, the selectors will only consider him for the T20 World Cup, if he bowls well regularly in the IPL as well.

However, this is slated to take place in the USA and West Indies soon after the 17th edition of the IPL as well. However, Rohit, Dravid and Agarkar are more concerned about his bowling. Many in the current Indian set-up can take up Pandya’s role as a batter in T20s but not many can do with the ball and take that third seamer’s position in the side. That is where Pandya is unique and adds more balance to the playing XI.

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Hardik Pandya has been out of form in IPL 2024

But he has been out of form with the ball this IPL season. He has lacked consistency and clarity as well. Moreover, Hardik Pandya has bowled his full quota only twice – In Mumbai Indians’ first two matches against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad – in six matches so far as well.

Notably, he didn’t bowl a single over against Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals. He again came to the ball against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru but for only one over. In their last match against Chennai Super Kings, he bowled three overs but he was hit for three back-to-back sixes by MS Dhoni in the last over as well.

In the 11 overs that Hardik Pandya has bowled in IPL 2024, he has claimed only three wickets and gave away 12 runs an over. While he looked fit for bowling, his form remains a concern as well.