3 Reasons Why Hardik Pandya Shouldn’t Be Picked for T20 World Cup 2024 Team India

With the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to take place in the previous month, discussions surrounding the composition of the Indian cricket team for this mega event are at their peak. 

Hardik Pandya’s inclusion has come under scrutiny, sparking debates about whether he should secure a spot in the team or not. Let’s delve into three reasons why there’s a growing sentiment that Hardik might not deserve a place in India’s T20 squad.

Hardik Pandya’s Poor Finishing Skills

Hardik Pandya, known for his finishing prowess as the captain of Mumbai Indians, has notably faltered in this aspect during the IPL 2024 season. His bat has remained relatively quiet, failing to deliver the finishing touches as he previously did. 

Questions have been raised regarding his finishing abilities, particularly evident in his strike rate, which has been subpar since he returned from a break in the league. Pandya has managed to score only 129 runs in 5 matches during the IPL 2024 season, further highlighting his struggles with batting form and consistency.

Hardik Pandya’s Fitness Concerns

Fitness has been the biggest challenge in Hardik Pandya’s career to date. He has struggled significantly to maintain his fitness levels, particularly after suffering injuries that have sidelined him for extended periods. 

Pandya has been increasingly vigilant about preserving his fitness, even opting out of red-ball cricket to focus more on his recovery and conditioning. Consequently, his bowling contributions have also diminished, with his participation in the 2024 ODI World Cup being marred by fitness concerns. Subsequently, he returned to the IPL 2024 after recuperating from his injuries.

Shivam Dube: The Perfect Replacement

While Hardik Pandya’s all-round skills have provided the Indian team with outstanding balance, his consistent injury woes and lack of full fitness raise concerns about his reliability. In such circumstances, Shivam Dube could emerge as an informed replacement. During the IPL 2024 season, Dube showcased his aggressive batting prowess, amassing 176 runs in 5 matches with a striking rate of 160. 

His performance this season has been nothing short of impressive, earning him a place as a viable contender for Pandya’s position in the Indian team.