India’s star all–rounder Hardik Pandya is currently in Sri Lanka alongwith India’s second-string team, led by Shikhar Dhawan. All eyes will be on Pandya’s performance as this is the only limited-overs series ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup.
In 2019, Hardik underwent major surgery to treat his lower back problem and since then he is yet to make a solid comeback. He is yet to resume bowling at full tilt and has returned to the limited-overs side as a specialist batsman only.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya’s childhood coach Jitendra Singh has stirred an unnecessary debate among the fans after saying that he was disappointed when selectors didn’t pick the all-rounder as the captain of the Indian side for the Sri Lanka tour.
In an interview with Cricketnext, Jitendra Singh expressed his disappointment and said: “Definitely, I was. He could have been a great option as he can play for five to seven years. He has got new thoughts and has a lot of energy. He could have been a good investment (in captaincy), especially for the white-ball format”
He added:
“He can contribute. He has got the technique and temperament and maturity and if he gets an opportunity he can prove himself. The conditions don’t matter for him as his technique is sound and simple”
Meanwhile, the statements of Hardik’s childhood coach didn’t go down well with the Indian cricket fans, who are now trolling him left, right, and center. There were many who even argued that Hardik’s place in the T20 World Cup squad isn’t guaranteed if he didn’t start bowling again.
Here, check out the reactions of Twitterati on this:
Tell that coach
1st choice shikar Dhawan
2nd choice Bhuvi
3rd choice sanju
4th choice Ishan kishanAnd Hardik will be at last choice as captain
— Rashid Khan ???…Afghans you can win it for us (@AdviserSrh) July 14, 2021
Since whn did years remaining in international ckt became a criteria for captaincy selection??? By that logic anyone who has more yrs left in international ckt should be made the captain… Crazy statement from Hardik’s coach ?
— ?Vaughan Fielding Academy? (@Vaughan_Academy) July 14, 2021
Anyone tell him to come out of dream, KL & Shreyas are not in the team that’s why dhawan became captain.. No chance of hardik, if he plays for more 20 years
— Uneeb?? (@khan_68578) July 14, 2021
If HARDIK can not bowling than we can’t consider him in Team also ???
MI me khelna alag baat hai or team India me khelna bhi alag baat hai
— Kishan Pujara | Incompet Cricketer ? (@IamKishanPujara) July 14, 2021
It’s not IPL… childish coach… ?
— PrAvEeN ReDdY (@naakuteliyadhu) July 14, 2021
Was he daydreaming?? There are much better and experienced captains in the squad, tbh. Dhawan, Iyer & Bhuvi are first choice.Then, there are Shaw( U-19 captain), SKY( viewed as a captain by Gambhir himself) & Ishan Kishan also(former U-19 captain & Jharkhand captain).
— Abhinav Prasad (@Abhinav56870394) July 14, 2021
Joking captaincy is not a easy job .
— Dream11 STATS? ???? (@Dream11Stats) July 14, 2021
https://twitter.com/akshatabhishek0/status/1415172877075185664?s=20
With an due respect, if Pandya isn’t bowling, there is a chance that he might not make it into the playing XI. So captaincy is a huge and impractical thing to expect.
— Hellfire (@Sri_Hellfire) July 14, 2021
really? on which basis should they make Hardik captain? or think of him as a future captaincy material? He is so injury prone, doesnt bowl much now, who knows after 1-2 years if his batting declines he might not even be part of the squad..Selectors will never invest in him
— Shantanu (@imshantanu105) July 14, 2021
