Selectors, Dravid, Rohit meet: Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup spot hangs on his bowling

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Sunday, April 14, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the IPL 2024 cricket match against Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)

Hardik Pandya’s comeback to the Indian team for the T20 world cup might well depend on how well and how often he bowls in the remainder of the IPL. In a meeting between India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai last week, it’s understood that a decision was taken that Hardik has to bowl regularly if he wants to make a comeback. The Indian Express understands that the major part of the discussion in the two-hour meeting was about the seam bowling all-rounder which the team is looking for in the USA and West Indies, which will host the world cup.

Pandya has been having a horror run in the IPL with adverse reactions from the crowd who are seemingly unhappy that he replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians’s captain. His performances with both bat and ball hasn’t been up to the mark, as yet. On Sunday night, he was smashed for three consecutive sixes by MS Dhoni in the final over of the CSK’s innings, triggering more handwringing over him.

With a good pool of batsmen already in the mix, India want Pandya the allrounder at the World Cup as that would lend them with the much-needed balance.

Since making his comeback during the IPL, Pandya has bowled in four of the six matches. In the first two matches against Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he opened the bowling, he sent down three and four overs. Then after not bowling in the next two matches, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he bowled one over and on Sunday against Chennai Super Kings, Pandya bowled three overs.

But worryingly, Pandya has gone at an economy rate of 12.00 this IPL and has only three wickets to his name.

Ishan Kishan on Hardik Pandya boos

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya celebrates with fans after Mumbai won the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match against Delhi Capitals, at Wankhede Staduim, in Mumbai, Sunday, April 7, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

One of Pandya’s biggest strengths with the ball has been his ability to hit the back of length area and get the extra bounce. And in T20s, his scrambled seam deliveries and cutters have worked for him in the past. But with very little swing on offer this season, Pandya hasn’t been able to create impact with the new ball. And with the old ball, instead of depending on cutters, his stock deliveries have the risk of getting punished as Dhoni showed.

In the middle-overs where batsmen usually target the weak link, Pandya has had an expensive outing. In the one over he bowled against Gujarat (15th) he conceded 10 runs. Against Hyderabad, where he bowled 9th and 14th over, he conceded 11 runs each. Against RCB, where he bowled only one over in the 10th, he conceded 13 runs. Against CSK, he gave 15 runs in the 10th over before taking out Ruturaj Gaikwad and giving just two runs in the 16th over. In the last over, the only time he bowled at the death this IPL, he gave away 26 runs.

Selectors are also keen on Dube but…

With Pandya’s form being a concern — has scored only 131 runs so far this IPL — it’s learnt that the selectors, who have been travelling to different venues, are also interested in Shivam Dube. Apart from being left-hander, Dube can take down spinners at will and this season, despite having two bouncers an over rule in place, has improved his game against pacers. His power-hitting offers a unique strength in the middle-order. But the issue with Dube is, Chennai Super Kings use him primarily as an Impact Player, where he isn’t needed to contribute with the ball. So even if India pick him, he will be used more of a part-time bowler.

With no other seam bowling all-rounder ready to make the transition to the top level, India are pinning their hopes on Pandya to come good. With India’s best bowlers not handy with the bat, if Pandya can be counted upon to bowl his quota of overs, then India will be a much different side. His presence will give them batting depth as well as six bowling options. But given his lack of form, and the frequency at which he bowls, there are concerns whether Pandya can be bankable. Having put their faith fully behind him at last year’s 50-over World Cup, his injury mid-way through the campaign, ultimately cost them heavily in the end. This is why India wants a fully-fit Pandya, who can contribute with the ball in every match, rather than just be a batsman who can contribute with the ball as part timer.

It is understood that the BCCI has asked team management their requirements, especially in the city of New York which will be hosting the first big cricket carnival in the USA. The Indian board has already sent an official to the USA to do recce of the hotels and other facilities. The Indian team hasn’t won an ICC title since 2013. They were close in 2023 when India lost to Australia in Ahmedabad during the 50 overs World Cup final.

Hardik Pandya by numbers

In the powerplay: Overs 4: Runs conceded 44 Wickets 1 Eco: 11

Middle-overs 7-16: Overs: 6 Runs conceded 62 Wickets: 1 Eco: 10.33

Death overs 16-20: Overs 1: Runs conceded 26 Wickets: 1 Economy 26

For the latest news from across India, Political updates, Explainers, Sports News, Opinion, Entertainment Updates and more Top News, visit Indian Express. Subscribe to our award-winning Newsletter Download our App here Android & iOS