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Mumbai Indians Skipper Hardik Pandya’s selection in the upcoming T20 World Cup depends on his bowling performances in the ongoing IPL.
Captain Rohit Sharma met with Rahul Dravid and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar at BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, to discuss about the squad selection for the T20 World Cup in June. As per reports, Hardik Pandya’s inclusion in the initial 15-man squad was the main talking point in this meeting.
Hardik, who was the primary choice as a fast bowling all rounder for team India is yet to perform in the ongoing IPL. So far in six games that MI played, their Skipper only bowled in four of them. He bowled a total of 11 overs with an economy rate of 12 whilst grabbing three wickets.
Injury prone Hardik played his last match for India on 19th October against Bangladesh in ODI World Cup 2023. Following the meeting between Rohit, Dravid and Agarkar it was decided that Hardik’s selection will be subjected to his bowling performances in this IPL, which has been below par along with his batting and captaincy. Mumbai Indians currently sit eighth in the points table, losing four of their first six games.
Hardik’s unique profile is making it difficult for the team management to find an alternate option, who could bat down the order with power-hitting ability along with bowling four overs of pace. Shivam Dube is the closest like-for-like replacement for Hardik, who has been in terrific form for Chennai Super Kings for the last couple of campaigns. The left-handed batter has been one of the consistent performers for CSK in the recent past, with his brilliant spin hitting ability. Like Hardik, Dube also possesses the ability to ball at a medium pace but he is yet to bowl in this IPL campaign, as CSK used him as an impact player and limited his role only to batting for them at number four, five or six depending upon the situation. So, even if he is selected for the upcoming World Cup, he is more likely to be a part-time bowler.
With no other options available as of now other than Dube, the Indian team will be hoping for Hardik’s quick return to form in the remaining matches in the IPL. If he fails to do so his ticket to the Caribbean and United States in June will likely be in jeopardy. As the team views him as full time bowling all rounder rather than a batsman who can contribute part on a part time basis.
