The apex body of the Indian cricket has announced the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue, while Hardik Pandya has been appointed his deputy. Pandya’s selection has surprised many as he is out of form and hasn’t done anything reasonably good for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2024.
In the first game after getting Team India’s vice-captaincy, the MI captain was dismissed without troubling the scorers. He couldn’t time Naveen Ul Haq’s delivery and was caught by Lucknow Super Giants’captain KL Rahul.
Former India player Rohan Gavaskar said that Hardik is trying hard to silence his haters and is paying heavy price.
“Hardik Pandya has been booed in the Indian Premier League. The moment he was given India’s vice-captaincy for the ICC T20 World Cup, the all-rounder tried hard to silence his haters, who have been after him since the start of the tournament.
“He is giving more ammunition to his critics as his poor performances are getting highlighted. The critics ate saying that he can’t bowl, bat and lead a side,” Rohan Gavaskar said on Cricbuzz.
Rohan further said that Hardik’s form is important if India want to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.
“He is the X-factor of the Indian team. If we (India) want to win the ICC T20 World Cup, his return to form is must and he will also have to remain in form throughout the tournament,” he added.