Irfan Pathan questions BCCI on Hardik Pandya's domestic cricket absence

Hardik Pandya is getting targeted as he gears up to lead Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. After being sidelined due to an ankle injury last October during an ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh, Pandya has been diligently preparing for his return to the field. Recently spotted training in Baroda alongside his brother Krunal Pandya and MI teammate Ishan Kishan, the star all-rounder is eager to make his mark once again.

Despite his absence from recent matches, Pandya’s commitment and talent have earned him a Grade A contract in BCCI’s annual player retainership. However, contrasting this, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan found themselves out of the contracts list after reportedly opting out of Ranji Trophy games for their respective states, despite being declared fit.

Irfan Pathan twitted

“They are talented cricketers, both Shreyas and Ishan. Hoping they bounce back and come back stronger. If players like Hardik don’t want to play red ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren’t on national duty? If this doesn’t apply to all, then Indian cricket won’t achieve the desired results!”

Pathan’s call for consistency in player selection

While Pandya has been a regular fixture in India’s white-ball cricket, his exclusion from the Test squad is attributed to concerns over his body’s ability to endure the rigors of the longer format. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan weighs in, suggesting that players like Pandya should consider participating in domestic white-ball games during their breaks from national duty if they choose not to pursue Test cricket.

See Also: Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer may face tough times in T20 World Cup

Pathan emphasizes the importance of consistent criteria for player selection, stating that it’s crucial for Indian cricket to thrive. Meanwhile, Pandya’s move to MI from Gujarat Titans before the IPL 2024 auction has stirred anticipation. With MI announcing him as the franchise’s new captain, replacing the legendary Rohit Sharma, Pandya’s leadership skills and on-field prowess are set to be tested in the upcoming season.