With just 47 days to go for the T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya’s poor run of form in IPL 2024 for Mumbai Indians as an all-rounder has become a major concern for the BCCI Selection Committee.
The vice-captain of the India T20 squad has struggled with both bat and ball, failing to deliver as a captain as well. The rumoured rift between Hardik and Rohit Sharma has added to the problems for the selectors.
“Hardik is a crucial cog in the team for sure. His form has been a little up and down. But there is still time. He has just switched a team with new responsibilities. It could happen to any player. We hope he regains his form before the World Cup. We need him at his best,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
The Hardik Problem: Batting
Pandya, who plays a crucial No. 6 role in India’s Playing XI, has scored 131 runs in 6 innings in IPL 2024 at a strike rate of 145.56. However, his longer stays at the crease have caused problems for Mumbai Indians, and this could translate to the World Cup on slower surfaces. Hardik has a dot-ball percentage of 35, a concern for a finisher.
The Bowling Problem
Hardik has only bowled a full quota of four overs once in IPL 2024, against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the 66 deliveries he has bowled, he has picked up only three wickets and has leaked runs at an economy rate of 12.00. With Mohammed Shami set to miss the World Cup, Hardik will be the second most experienced seamer after Jasprit Bumrah, and if he cannot bowl four overs consistently, it will be a huge problem for India.
Bluntly put, there is no place for Hardik the batter in India’s Playing XI. He will only be in the team as a proper all-rounder.
