“Ravi Shastri on Hardik Pandya’s Captaincy Snub: ‘Match Fitness Is Important'”

After being overlooked for the T20I captaincy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has shared advice for Hardik Pandya on how to regain his peak performance. Shastri emphasized the importance of match fitness, advising Pandya to play as much as possible to stay in top shape. Pandya, who had been a key figure in India’s ICC T20 World Cup victory, was expected to take over from Rohit Sharma as captain. However, he was not selected for the role in the current Sri Lanka tour due to concerns about his fitness.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar noted that consistent availability was a key factor in their decision, which ultimately led to Suryakumar Yadav being appointed as T20I captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain.

In an interview on The ICC Review, Shastri suggested that Pandya’s focus should be on maintaining his fitness through regular play. “Match fitness is very important. Whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can,” Shastri said. He also highlighted the need for Pandya to bowl consistently to contribute effectively in both T20 and ODI formats.

Pandya has had a history of injury problems, including a stress fracture in 2018 and an ankle injury during the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Despite these setbacks, Pandya made a strong return during the T20 World Cup, contributing crucial runs and wickets. Shastri believes that Pandya’s recent performances should serve as motivation for him to get back to full fitness. “He understands his body better than anyone. His performance in the World Cup should inspire him to stay fit and perform at his best,” Shastri added.