On Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup selection debate, the IPL-winning coach’s “very rare” decision. cricket news

Former Australia men’s all-rounder Tom Moody believes that Hardik Pandya is currently head and shoulders above other contenders for the fast bowling all-rounder slot in the Indian team that will be competing in the Men’s T20 World Cup next month. Pandya’s inclusion in India’s 15-member squad as captain Rohit Sharma’s deputy came as a surprise to many, as he has been unable to make a big impact with bat and ball while captaining Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024.

But many players in India do not have skills like him; Pandya is now on the verge of making his fourth T20 World Cup appearance for India when they begin their campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5.

“Name me three other guys who can do what Hardik Pandya is doing. That’s the basic thing. That skill of being a genuine all-rounder who can bat in your top six and potentially bowl four overs for you Yes, there are others who play domestic cricket and are fine, but not in international cricket, which is a different standard.

“So I think he is head and shoulders above anyone else competing for that particular role. I think Ajit Agarkar has recognized that is the case and we have to give him a lot of support in relation to his recovery, in relation to his form. A long rope has to be given, and everything else, because he is a very precious commodity in this country,” Moody told Star Sports.

Former India fast bowler and member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team S Sreesanth also backed Pandya to do well in the mega event. “We have seen what he can do on the field except in this year’s IPL. The way he is batting and the way he is bowling for the country, he even led the country in a series and We won.”

“Rohit was asked about this and he said that sometimes I am the captain and sometimes I am not. But that does not change the aura and atmosphere of the team. So, it is a good thing that Hardik Pandya comes And let’s bat.” Especially when he is chasing and Virat is on the other side, I think the combination they make is very good.

“And Hardik can take the new ball or the old ball, especially against Pakistan, but it is not only against Pakistan, we are going to play many different teams, so it is a chance for Hardik to forget that he has You never know what he has done in this IPL and maybe, there are a few matches left and he might come.”

Moody also felt that Shivam Dube’s selection for the World Cup is a smart move by the Indian team, and he wants him to bowl more often in his training sessions for Chennai Super Kings during their IPL 2024 campaign. Dubey bowled one over against Punjab Kings and his score was 1-14.

“I would be incredibly surprised if Dube is not handling his bowling workload, which is basically not bowling in the middle of the competition, but bowling in practice and bowling in the pre-game, so that per His number of balls is increasing by the week. Make sure his body is adapted to bowling.

“Even if he doesn’t have to bowl in a match situation, he has bowling, so it’s not like he hasn’t bowled for two months and then suddenly he’s called to bowl in the World Cup tournament. So, he Will bowl. He concluded that I am physically ready for the occasion and for me, Shivam Dubey is a smart pick.

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