Hardik Pandya’s T20 World Cup 2024 Selection Forceful? Jay Shah Responds
Jay Shah discusses Hardik Pandya’s controversial World Cup selection.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma will be leading the charge once again in the biennial tournament. He will also become the only player apart from Shakib Al Hasan to feature in all editions of World Cup.
While veterans like Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah, were unsurprising selections, the omission of players like Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill sparked debate. The biggest question mark surrounded the inclusion of out-of-form Hardik Pandya as vice-captain.
Earlier reports suggested that BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma were not in favour of Pandya’s selection. However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah recently addressed these concerns in a press conference with the Times of India.
Jay Shah emphasized that IPL performance is not the sole criterion for World Cup selection. They picked Hardik Pandya on the basis of his experience. Here’s what he said:
“The selectors cannot choose on the basis of IPL performance alone, as overseas experience is also necessary.”
Meanwhile, with just 200 runs and 11 wickets in 13 IPL matches (average 18.18, economy rate 10.59), Pandya will need to find his best form ahead of the World Cup to justify his place in the squad.
