Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has reacted to the star all-rounder Hardik Pandyahas confirmed his inclusion in India’s 15-man preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a strong statement. On May 1, the BCCI announced India’s squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.
However, India’s squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup was as expected, with only a few surprising decisions including the inclusion of Rinku Singh in the squad as a traveling reserve player. Well, many have questioned Pandya’s inclusion in the squad but Prasad welcomed the selectors’ decision.
The former chief selector said that Hardik, as both an all-rounder and a vice-captain, deserved to be in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup and this decision was fully justified. Prasad noted that Pandya has done an excellent job as India’s T20I captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma, which highlights his leadership potential and makes him an automatic choice for the vice-captaincy.
MSK Prasad welcomes the inclusion of Hardik Pandya in India’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
He said that there was no better fast bowling all-rounder in the country than Pandya. Notably, the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain will return to action for India after an eight-month break when the Men in Blue begin their season T20 World Cup 2024 Campaign against Ireland on June 8th.
The Indian all-rounder last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh before being sidelined due to an ankle injury. However, Pandya made a successful return as an all-rounder in the ongoing IPL 2024 even though he is finding it difficult to make an impact.
MSK Prasad was quoted by RevSportz as saying: “I don’t think there is a second thought on whether Hardik should be included and also made vice-captain of the team. He was given the captaincy when Rohit was away. So that clearly showed that he was next in line to lead. The voters made the right decision by electing him. Tell me, who in the country is a better fast bowling all-rounder than Hardik now?”
Hardik Pandya can put his IPL form behind him: MSK Prasad
The former India wicketkeeper admitted that Pandya has struggled for form in the ongoing IPL 2024, for which he blamed the change in captaincy of Mumbai Indians (MI) as it led to boos and taunts towards the new captain and impacted on his performance impacted. He stressed that once Pandya wears the Indian jersey, he will have the opportunity to put aside his poor IPL 2024 form.
He said goodbye with the words: “Yes, he has had problems with his form recently. But let’s also be fair; So much happened. Unfortunately, the change in leadership in Mumbai has also affected his form. But once he puts on the Indian jersey, he can put his IPL form behind him. And I reiterate that Hardik Pandya is currently the best fast bowling all-rounder in the country, no matter what the experts say.”
Notably, Pandya has managed just 197 runs and four wickets for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 10 games so far in the ongoing IPL 2024.