They Shouldn’t Take The Risk Of Playing Hardik In ODIs: Ravi Shastri

TPI Staff June 6, 2022

98 1 minute read

They Shouldn't Take The Risk Of Playing Hardik In ODIs: Ravi Shastri

Mumbai: Ravi Shastri said Hardik Pandya should play only T20Is before going into the T20 World Cup 2022. The Indian cricket team will return to action on June 9, when the team takes on South Africa in the first five T20Is at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the series, while KL Rahul will lead the side along with wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The series also sees a return of all-rounder Hardik Pandya to the Indian squad for the first time since the T20 World Cup last year.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who worked closely with Pandya during his stint in the post, opened up on the all-rounder’s return and insisted that he should play only in the shortest format till this year’s T20 World Cup.

“He will come back to that team for me as a batsman or an all-rounder. I don’t think he is injured so badly that he can’t bowl two overs to you. He has got enough rest and will continue to get enough rest because that is the only format he should play to go into the World Cup. They shouldn’t take the risk of making him play ODI cricket,” said Shastri in Star Sports’ Game Plan.

Shastri further said that Pandya works as two players in the team.

“By large, he works for two players. Hardik Pandya playing as a batsman means he has to bat in the top four or five, but Hardik Pandya is playing as an all-rounder he can bat at five, six or four and still bowl those two-three overs for you,” said the former India head coach.

Pandya enjoyed a stellar performance in the recently concluded 2022 Indian Premier League, where he led Gujarat Titans to the title in his first season.

The GT skipper was the top scorer for his side in the season, scoring 487 runs in 15 innings (the fourth-highest overall).

In the final, Pandya also performed brilliantly with the ball, registering figures of 3/17 in four overs.

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