After Rohit Sharma was named India’s captain for the forthcoming series against Afghanistan, Kiran More is unsure about Hardik Pandya‘s immediate future as captain of the T20I team. He does anticipate the all-arounder Hardik Pandya player joining the squad again as soon as he is fit and available, though.
India and Afghanistan will play three T20Is, with the first match taking place on Thursday, January 11, at Mohali. The 16-member Indian team includes Rohit and Virat Kohli, while Hardik was unable to be selected because of an ankle injury.
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Surya Kumar Yadav, who captained India during the T20I series against Australia, also got diagnosed with sports hernia. The IPL 2024 would offer both of them the finest chance to demonstrate their fitness before the T20 World Cup 2024.
He is the world’s top all-rounder and every team will want to have him- Kiran More on Hardik Pandya’s Return to the cricket
Kiran More was questioned on the message given to Hardik following the selection of Rohit and Kohli during a talk on Sports 18. He replied:
“Firstly, Hardik needs to get fit. He needs to start playing cricket first, that’s extremely necessary. Once he does that, Hardik Pandya definitely ticks all the boxes. He has also been the captain earlier,”
The former wicketkeeper-batter for India wasn’t sure what the selectors were considering when it came to leadership. He did, however, add that once the new Mumbai Indians captain demonstrates his fitness, he will return to action for the nation.
“We don’t know the selectors’ thinking, what has gone on inside, but Hardik will come into the team as soon as he gets fit. Hardik Pandya needs to play matches before the World Cup. We don’t know when he will start, probably in the IPL, but he is preparing hard. Hardik Pandya is the world’s top all-rounder and every team will want to have him,” he explained.
They have been selected based on their recent form- Kiran More about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s selection by the selectors
Is it implied by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return that they will undoubtedly participate in the T20 World Cup? Kiran More was also asked this question. To which he responded that both of them were in great form in the World Cup and looked in good touch in the recent matches.
“They have been selected based on their recent form. Your (selectors) thinking changed slightly after two years. I don’t know what their thinking was earlier but both gave fantastic performances in the World Cup and looked in form in the South Africa series as well,” said Kiran More.
The former cricket player turned commentator hailed the pair’s comeback as fantastic news for Indian cricket. He went on to say that the way Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli performed during the 2023 World Cup, their return is a great sign for the Indian cricket team.
“The way Rohit Sharma captained in the World Cup and we reached the final as well, he played exceptional innings, the aggression he showed, so the thinking changed slightly. So both have been recalled and it is very good news for Indian cricket,” he concluded.
In agreement with Kiran More, Saba Karim said that the tracks India will face in the West Indies and the United States are what led to Rohit and Kohli being added back to the team.
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