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

Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri has urged star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to work on his fitness. In recent times, Pandya has sustained several injuries, including an ankle injury that kept him out of the majority of the ODI World Cup 2023. Recently, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that fitness was the major reason why Pandya was not named India’s captain in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Talking of his fitness, Ravi Shastri opined that Pandya could get to play consistently in ODI cricket, but to make a return to ODI cricket, he should continue to perform in T20Is. The former cricketer hopes that Pandya’s exceptional performances in the T20 World Cup 2024 would motivate him to work on his fitness and reach the peak of his career. 

"I think (it's) very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well," Shastri told the ICC.

“But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," he added.

It is worth noting that Pandya is part of India’s T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series, but is not a part of the ODI squad. He competed in both the T20Is against Sri Lanka, where he helped the Men in Blue gain a two-game lead and clinch the series as well. The third and final match of the series will be played in Pallekele on July 30.