Much was expected from all-rounder Hardik Pandya during the T20 World Cup 2021 but the star player disappointed. He went wicketless in 4 overs he delivered during the ICC event. Pandya was backed to bowl 4 overs in every game but that didn’t happen.
He has been mostly playing as a specialist batsman since the resumption of the game and also made his comeback to the Test team in that role only. His below-par run in the T20 WC saw him being dropped for 3 T20Is against New Zealand and it looks like he might miss a few more international matches.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Pandya is working on his fitness and has asked the selectors to not consider him for a while. The report adds that Pandya is also eyeing a return to full-time bowling.
The 28-year-old used to play as a proper all-rounder and also made it to the Test team. But his fitness issues have kept him away from the Test team since 2018 and have also impacted his bowling. He went on the Australia tour in 2020 as a specialist batsman only.
It isn’t known whether Pandya is available for selection for the South Arica tour or not. Even if he is available, Venkatesh Iyer looks set to tour SA.
Meanwhile, multiple reports have suggested that Pandya is unlikely to be retained by his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI). His performances have dipped in the past couple of seasons and he would be back in the IPL auction.
Pandya, who first hogged the limelight after his debut for MI, could be roped in by one of the two new franchises as well. He had joined MI for Rs 10 Lakh in IPL 2015 auction and was retained by them for Rs 11 crore before IPL 2018.
