Former Indian bowler Praveen Kumar has launched a verbal attack on the BCCI for preferential treatment towards all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Praveen Kumar slammed Hardik for skipping domestic cricket.
Hardik Pandya, who made a return to action after a long ankle-injury lay-off, played his first game in over 3 months during the DY Patil tournament, however, he was made an exception in the BCCI’s central contract distribution.
BCCI took a bold step when the board excluded Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from the central contract. BCCI announced a new directive that players need to prioritize Ranji and other forms of domestic cricket over the Indian Premier League.
Praveen Kumar Slammed BCCI For Special Treatment For Hardik Pandya
Hardik was spared from facing the same treatment as Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer because his body couldn’t handle the demands of playing all three formats. However, despite these limitations, Hardik reportedly assured the board that he would be available to play either the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy or the Vijay Hazare Trophy if there was a window available outside of his commitments with the Indian team.
However, Praveen Kumar feels that come what may, Pandya shouldn’t get such perks from the BCCI. Praveen questioned BCCI’s decision to dish out such special treatment by using some pretty below-the-belt statements.
Speaking to Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel, Kumar said: “Hardik Pandya kya chaand se utar ke aaya hai? (Has Hardik Pandya descended from the moon? He has to play too. Why are there different rules for him? The BCCI should threaten him. Why would you play just the domestic T20 tournament (DY Patil)? Play all three formats. Or have you played 60-70 Test matches that you will just play T20. The country needs you,”
Earlier in the past also, Hardik has been reluctant to discuss his place in the Test squad of India. Despite calls for his return, Hardik has suggested that he has more to prove before considering red-ball cricket. Praveen Kumar has called for clearer communication before acknowledging any potential discussions between Hardik and the board regarding his Test future. He said:
“Give it in writing that I am not available for Tests. Neither are you committing from it, nor are you withdrawing entirely. The BCCI should also be questioned. You can’t twist and mould rules for one player. But I feel that there must have been a discussion. If they think Hardik is an asset in T20 and we don’t want his fitness to be affected. Then it’s fine. Either that or a player should be informed that he is only going to be considered for T20s and ODIs but not for Tests. That way, a player is satisfied knowing about his future,”
