Amid Hardik Pandya's Poor Form, Venkatesh Prasad's "Best 15 Players" Remark For T20 World Cup
Hardik Pandya's form in IPL 2024 has put his T20 World Cup 2024 selection in jeopardy.
Mumbai Indians' 20-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash on Saturday has triggered a plethora of doubts in the cricketing spectrum. Hardik Pandya, who has been in the line of fire since taking over the role of MI's skipper, has been struggling both with the bat and the ball. With the T20 World Cup 2024 set to be held right after the conclusion of the IPL, doubts have started to arise over Hardik's place in the team.
Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad, who isn't known to mince his words, shared an intriguing post on social media on Sunday, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee to pick the 'best 15 players' for the tournament.
"I hope and pray that the best 15 T20 players in India are on the plane for the T20 World Cup. We can win the tournament with the talent we have but important to pick the best," Prasad posted on X (formerly Twitter).
I hope and pray that the best 15 T20 players in India are on the plane for the T20 World Cup.
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) April 14, 2024
We can win the tournament with the talent we have but important to pick the best.
A fit Hardik Pandya is always considered a certainty in India's white-ball teams because of his all-round abilities but his form of late isn't painting the same picture.
Earlier, former New Zealand bowler Simon Doull, who is doing commentary in the IPL 2024, had suggested that Hardik shouldn't be picked for India's T20 World Cup squad if he can't consistently bowl.
After the game, Hardik did admit that the target (207 runs) was gettable but the Mumbai Indians couldn't find a good partnership in the middle to go all the way.
"The target was definitely gettable, but they bowled pretty well. Pathirana was the difference. They were smart with the plans and their approach. They got the hang of it, there's a man behind the stumps (Dhoni) who tells them what's working, that helps. It (pitch) was holding up a bit and getting difficult. It was about batting well and keeping the intent.
"We were going quite well (in the run chase) till Pathirana came into the attack and took those two wickets. It was about what is best at that time, we could have done something different. I like to play percentage cricket, it would have been difficult for him (Dube) against seamers rather than spin. We are on the road for the next four games, need to play good cricket, need to keep the intensity high," he said.
Mumbai Indians
Chennai Super Kings
Hardik Pandya
India Cricket Team