Former Indian chief selector MSK Prasad reacted to the star all-rounder Hardik PandyaIndia’s inclusion in India’s 15-member preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is a strong statement. On May 1, the BCCI announced India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
However, the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 was as expected, with only a couple of surprising call-ups, including the inclusion of Rinku Singh as a roaming reserve in the team. Well, many have questioned Pandya’s inclusion in the team, but Prasad welcomed the selectors’ decision.
The former chief selector said that Hardik deserved to be in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad as an all-rounder and as vice-captain, and this decision is fully justified. Prasad noted that Pandya did a great job as India’s T20I captain in the absence of Rohit Sharma, which highlighted the leadership potential of him, making him the automatic choice for the vice-captaincy.
MSK Prasad welcomes Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in India squad for T20 World Cup 2024
He said there is 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 as the Men in Blue begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 8.
The Indian all-rounder last played for India during the 2023 ODI World Cup clash against Bangladesh before being ruled out due to an ankle injury. However, Pandya made a successful comeback as an all-rounder in the ongoing IPL 2024, though he is struggling to make an impact.
MSK Prasad was quoted by RevSportz: “I don’t think there is a need to think twice about Hardik’s inclusion and also his appointment as vice-captain of the team. He was given the captaincy when Rohit was not there. That clearly indicated that he was next in line to take over the leadership. The selectors made the right decision in choosing him. Tell me, who in the country is now a better fast bowler than Hardik?
Hardik Pandya can put his IPL form behind him: MSK Prasad
The former Indian wicketkeeper admitted that Pandya has been struggling for form in the ongoing IPL 2024, for which he blamed the change in Mumbai Indians (MI) captaincy as it led to boos and jeers against the new skipper and affected his performance. He highlighted that once Pandya dons the Indian jersey, he will have the ability to put aside his poor form in IPL 2024.
He said goodbye saying: “Yes, he has been struggling with his form lately. But let’s be fair too; There are so many things that have happened. Unfortunately, the change in leadership in Mumbai has also affected their form. But once he dons the Indian jersey, he can put his IPL form behind him. And once again, I repeat that Hardik Pandya is now the best fast bowler in the country, no matter what the experts say.”
Notably, Pandya has so far only managed 197 runs and four wickets for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 10 games in the ongoing IPL 2024.