‘Match Fitness Is Important’: Ravi Shastri Addresses the Controversial Hardik Pandya Captaincy Snub

The chatter around the Hardik Pandya captaincy snub has spread like wildfire. After Team India's squad for the Sri Lanka series was announced, Suryakumar Yadav was revealed as the skipper for the T20Is, which has put Pandya's future as a skipper uncertain. The star all-rounder has been a part of the T20I series. Despite his all-around performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, the appointment of SKY as a skipper for the limited-over format. Former Team India cricketer Ravi Shastri has offered his take on the situation   

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Ravi Shastri offers a brutally honest take on the Hardik Pandya captaincy snub, ODI future

India veteran and former team coach Ravi Shastri has presented his thoughts on the controversial Hardik Pandya snub from T20I captaincy. He believes that the fitness of a player is a vital factor and that it is crucial for him that he continues to play in the T20Is. Shastri also believes that Pandya could play the ODIs as well, given that he could consistently bowl for eight to ten overs.

"I think (it is) very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well. But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs, every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well.

“So I think it's up to him really, more than anything else,” Shastri added. “He understands his body better than anyone. And I'm sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn't need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there," Shastri said while speaking to host Sanjana Ganesan, as quoted by the ICC.

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Team India has been a poignant force as they continue their tour in Sri Lanka. After defeating the hosts in the first T20I, India chose to bowl first in a rain-hit 2nd clash of the series. India had an insurmountable 2-0 lead thanks to the impressive stroke play of captain Suryakumar Yadav and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. With nine balls remaining, they won the second T20l match, which was postponed due to rain, by seven wickets.