Cursing cricket news about Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup selection, Harsha Bhogle

All-rounder Hardik Pandya remains the backbone of the Indian team, especially in white-ball cricket. But what if Hardik only plays as a batsman? So will he be in the T20 squad for the 2024 World Cup? Hardik has bowled just 1 ball in Mumbai Indians’ last three matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Mumbai Indians skipper chose not to bowl at all against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals and against RCB he scored 13 runs in a game. (IPL 2024 Points Table)

The situation does leave a question mark on the faces of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors. Hardik opened the innings for MI in the first few games, bowling 3-4 overs, but things have changed drastically in the last 3 games. Many even wondered if there was an injury that prevented Hardik from fulfilling his bowling duties.

Former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Toure even said that he feels strongly that injuries are preventing Hardik from bowling at full strength at the moment.

“You go out and make a statement by bowling in the first game and all of a sudden, you’re not needed anymore,” Durr said on Cricbuzz. “He’s injured. I’m telling you there’s something wrong with him. He won’t admit it. But there’s definitely something wrong with him. That’s my gut feeling,” asserted the New Zealand commentator.

Afterwards, famous Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle raised a million-dollar question: whether Harik should be included in India’s T20 World Cup squad as a pure batsman. For Harsha, the answer is still no as there are other better pure batsmen in the team.

“Will Hardik be in the T20 World Cup squad if he doesn’t bowl?” Bogle asked while speaking on Cricbuzz. “If he doesn’t bowl, will he be among India’s top six batsmen? I’m not entirely convinced of that because if he doesn’t bowl and he’s not a strong finisher, then he needs to bat and all The games are all there.”