Hardik Pandya’s personal and professional life has been marred by a series of setbacks. His recent separation from wife Natasa Stankovic has been followed by his demotion as India’s T20I captain, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the reins.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has expressed concerns about Pandya’s fitness, which has been a recurring issue for the all-rounder. The committee is seeking a long-term captain and is monitoring Pandya’s progress closely.
To assess his fitness in the ODI format, Pandya will represent his home team Baroda in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This marks his first appearance for Baroda since 2018.
Pandya has faced criticism for his absence from domestic cricket, with former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore accusing him of neglecting his state team. Whatmore pointed out that Pandya has not played white-ball cricket for Baroda in years, despite being labeled as an all-rounder from the state.
Agarkar, however, emphasized that Pandya remains a valuable asset to the Indian team due to his unique skill set. However, he acknowledged that fitness concerns have made it challenging to consider Pandya for the captaincy role.
With the next T20 World Cup approaching, the selection committee is evaluating options and has time to make a decision on the captaincy. Pandya’s fitness and performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be crucial factors in determining his future role in the Indian team.
