Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Jay Shah opened up about the concerns regarding Hardik Pandya’s selection in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Jay Shah stated that Hardik Pandya wasn’t picked for the squad based on his form in the IPL 2024 season.
Hardik Pandya has failed to make an impact both as a player and as a leader in the T20 tournament. He has scored only 200 runs in 13 matches and taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of 10.59. He was appointed as the vice captain despite his disappointing outings.
Out-of-form Hardik Pandya was picked over players like Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh. Ajit Agarkar, the BCCI chief selector, mentioned in a press conference that Pandya’s selection was due to a shortage of pace-bowling all-rounders in the Indian cricket team.
It Has A Good Balance – Jay Shah
In a chat with the Times of India, Jay Shah emphasized that IPL form alone cannot dictate player selection for major tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Shah stated that overseas experience is considered when selecting players.
“It has a good balance between form and experience. The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary,” Shah was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
A report by Dainik Jagran suggested that skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were not in favor of Hardik Pandya’s selection for the World Cup. The report mentioned that Hardik was included in the team under external pressure.
The report added that Agarkar and some selectors opposed Pandya’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup team during the selection meeting. India lacks a pace-bowling all-rounder, and Shivam Dube is the only alternative, but his bowling skills are not on par.
India Squad For World Cup: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan
We Will Bring Home The T20 World Cup Trophy – Jay Shah
Jay Shah expressed optimism regarding India’s prospects in the T20 World Cup. Shah acknowledged that India fell short in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. He stated that they can secure victory in the T20 World Cup this year.
“We did well at the last ICC Men’s World Cup 2023, but the final victory eluded us. I am optimistic that we will bring home the T20 World Cup trophy this year,” Shah added.
The 35-year-old revealed the responsibilities of him and Roger Binny. Shah highlighted Binny’s role as the cricketing strategist and his own focus on administration and finance.
“Roger Binny is the cricketing brain. He is involved in every cricketing decision while I look after the administration and finance part. But finally, we do everything together. We have a very transparent and consultative process,” Shah further added.
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