‘He should play as much as he can’ – Ravi Shastri advises Hardik Pandya to improve fitness

The renowned all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been pushed to improve his fitness by former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri. Pandya has been sidelined for most of the 2023 ODI World Cup due to a number of injuries he has recently acquired, including an ankle injury. In the current Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, top selector Ajit Agarkar recently said that Pandya’s lack of selection as captain of India was primarily due to his lack of fitness.

Regarding Pandya’s fitness, Ravi Shastri said that he may play regularly in ODI cricket, but that he should keep playing in T20Is in order to return to ODI cricket.

The veteran cricket player believes that Pandya’s outstanding results in the T20 World Cup 2024 would inspire him to improve his physical condition and achieve the pinnacle of his profession.

It is imperative, in my opinion, that he keeps playing. Match fitness is crucial, in my opinion. He should therefore play as much T20I cricket as possible. Additionally, Shastri told the ICC that “he obviously makes the team for the one-day game as well if he feels strong and fit.”

Nevertheless, bowling becomes significant. The balance of the team is affected if someone bowls three overs in a one-day match when you need to bowl ten. He continued, “I think he’ll play in one-day cricket as well if he can bowl eight or ten overs consistently every game and then bat like he does.”

Also Read: Rohit and co. arrive in Colombo ahead of the ODI series; Nayar deputed to oversee nets

Pandya is not included in the ODI squad, although he is a member of India’s T20I team for the Sri Lankan series. In the two Twenty20 Internationals he played against Sri Lanka, he contributed to the Men in Blue taking a two-game lead and winning the series. On July 30, Pallekele will host the third and final game of the series.