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Tag: Hardik Pandya bowling

  • Rohit Sharma Was Reluctance To Include Hardik Pandya In Team India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Report | cricket news

    The Indian cricketing community has been abuzz with speculation and whispers of an internal rift, specifically between two of its leading stars: Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. This friction surfaced dramatically when the Mumbai Indians (MI) management handed over the captaincy reins to Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2024, replacing the seasoned Rohit Sharma. Despite the high expectations, Hardik’s stint as MI captain has been less than stellar, culminating in the team’s early exit from playoff contention.

    Hardik’s Underwhelming Performance

    The statistical narrative of Hardik Pandya’s IPL 2024 season tells a tale of mediocrity. Across 13 matches, Hardik managed to score just 200 runs with a strike rate of 144.93. His bowling figures weren’t much better, securing 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.59. Such lackluster performances have inevitably fueled debates regarding his selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas.

    Selection Controversy: Pressure and Politics

    Reports from Dainik Jagran revealed that neither Rohit Sharma nor the BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar were in favor of including Hardik in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. The crux of their argument was Hardik’s recent form and fitness levels, which did not justify his place in the team. However, it appears that external pressures played a significant role in his selection, with some sources hinting at top-level influences and the absence of a viable replacement as key factors.

    The Press Conference: Agarkar’s Diplomatic Response

    During a press conference following the squad announcement, Ajit Agarkar was directly questioned about Hardik’s inclusion despite his recent form. Agarkar responded diplomatically, emphasizing the lack of a like-for-like replacement in the current talent pool. This response, however, did little to quell the murmurs of discontent and speculation about underlying political pressures.

    The Bigger Picture: India’s World Cup Prospects

    India’s campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024 will see them facing stiff competition, starting with their high-voltage clash against Pakistan in New York on June 9. The squad, led by Rohit Sharma and with Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, has been under the scanner, with fans and pundits questioning whether internal team dynamics could affect on-field performance.

    Potential Impact on Team Morale

    The internal discord between Rohit and Hardik, if unresolved, could impact team morale. Videos and reports from the IPL season highlighted visible tensions within the MI camp, with players seemingly divided into factions. Such internal strife, if carried into the national team setup, could prove detrimental to India’s World Cup aspirations.

    Rohit’s Possible Retirement

    Adding another layer to this unfolding drama is the speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s future in T20 cricket. Reports suggest that Rohit might retire from the format post the World Cup. If true, this could signify a major transition phase for Indian cricket, with potential leadership changes on the horizon.

    Final Thoughts: Navigating Through Turbulence

    As India prepares for the T20 World Cup 2024, the focus should ideally be on strategic preparations and player form. However, the lingering issues between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya cast a shadow over the team’s prospects. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the team can navigate through these internal challenges and deliver on the world stage.

    India’s T20 World Cup Squad

    Main Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

    Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.

  • Hardik Pandya Gets Booed Once Again, Lauder Cheer For RCB At Wankhede Stadium; Video Goes Viral – Watch | cricket news

    In a dramatic turn of events at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the home crowd once again voiced their displeasure towards Mumbai Indians’ new captain, Hardik Pandya, during the toss of the IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bangalore. As Pandya strode out to the middle for the pre-match proceedings, a loud chorus of boos echoed through the stands, making it clear that the Mumbai fans have not forgiven the star all-rounder. This is not the first time Pandya has faced such a hostile reception from the home crowd, a testament to the high expectations and passion of the Mumbai faithful.

    Toss News – @mipaltan have won the toss and elect to bowl first against @RCBTweets.

    Live – https://t.co/7yWt2ui23H #TATAIPL #IPL2024 #MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/ajXbJkD7MB — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 11, 2024

    Cheers for RCB at the Wankhede

    In stark contrast, the arrival of the Royal Challengers Bangalore players, led by their charismatic captain Faf du Plessis, was met with a roar of approval from the spectators. The Wankhede faithful, known for their unwavering support of the Mumbai Indians, seemed to have temporarily set aside their loyalties and embraced the visiting team, reflecting the broad appeal of the IPL and the diverse fan base it has cultivated.

    Toss and Team Lineups

    After the eventful toss, where Pandya elected to bowl first, the stage was set for an intriguing encounter between two teams eager to secure a crucial victory. The RCB lineup featured several in-form players, including the dynamic duo of Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell, while the Mumbai Indians boasted the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah leading their bowling attack.

    Both Team Captains At The Toss

    Faf du Plessis – We’ve tried to change things, so we’ve given chances to some of our players, some new players and it’s up to them to take the opportunity. It’s important to give players a decent run, but we’ve found ourselves in a stage where we haven’t done well, so it’s time to make changes. One thing that’s important is to be consistent and that’s where we’ve been disappointing. But we know we can turn this around. We would have fielded as well, chasing at this ground is the better option, but the pitch looks good. We’ve got three changes – Jacks debuts and he’ll come in at 3, Mahipal and Vyshak are back.

    Hardik Pandya – We will bowl first. It looks like a similar track, but it might get better to bat on under lights. There was a bit of dew as well, so chasing could be a better option. The mood before and after the win was different, we’ll need to start well, put the pressure and then take the game forward. We got the highest score without anyone getting to 50, that gives you plenty of confidence. Bowling well in the powerplay was crucial. One change – Shreyas Gopal comes in place of PC

    Playing XIs

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mahipal Lomror, Reece Topley, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

    Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi, Shreyas Gopal, Jasprit Bumrah, Gerald Coetzee, Akash Madhwal.

    Impact Subs

    Mumbai Indians Subs: Suryakumar Yadav, Dewald Brevis, Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera, Harvik Desai

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru Subs: Suyash Prabhudessai, Saurav Chauhan, Swapnil Singh, Rajan Kumar, Karn Sharma