Hardik Pandya has faced significant challenges recently. His struggles began with an injury during the ODI World Cup, costing him his T20 captaincy. A subsequent high-profile move to the Mumbai Indians (MI) did not go as planned, leading to internal team conflicts and reported tensions with captain Rohit Sharma.
The Mumbai Indians had a poor IPL season, and Hardik’s performances were disappointing. Personal issues further complicated his situation, leading to questions about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Despite these setbacks, the BCCI maintained faith in the star allrounder, and Hardik is now regaining his form just when it matters most.
In the three World Cup games so far, Pandya has posted impressive figures of 2-24, 3-27, and 2-14, albeit in favorable conditions. Notably, he has excelled in bowling difficult overs, such as the crucial 17th over against Pakistan.
Team India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey praised Hardik’s persistence even during tough times. “He has confidence in his ability,” Mhambrey said. “Sometimes there’s no rhythm in a tournament, and it takes time… that was a phase where the rhythm didn’t come.”
While Hardik worked hard to regain his rhythm, Rohit Sharma also played a crucial role. Despite rumored personal differences, Rohit put team success first when selecting the Indian squad, understanding the value of four allrounders, including Hardik. “Four allrounders allow me the flexibility, and in all probability, we are going to stick to that,” Rohit stated before India’s game against Pakistan.
Hardik, aware this could be his last chance, gave 100% in every training session. Mhambrey commended his dedication: “Despite the difficult times, his work ethic never took a beating. He kept bowling a lot, and that meant the rhythm would return.”
Even during a tough IPL season, Hardik took on challenging overs, displaying confidence in his abilities. Mhambrey noted, “If you compare his rhythm in the IPL and the rhythm now, you can see he has got it back.”
With his bowling back on track, Hardik now needs to contribute with the bat. As India moves to the West Indies, conditions will favor batters more than in the US. The team hopes for a few impactful innings from Hardik in the next five games, potentially making him a key player in this World Cup.
India-Canada Game Called Off Due to Wet Outfield
The anticipated game between India and Canada at Broward Park was called off due to a wet outfield. Despite enthusiastic crowds, the previous day’s rain had damaged the field too much for play to start. As a result, India finished on top in Group A and will face Afghanistan in the Super-8 stage in Barbados on June 20.
