Should Hardik Pandya be included in the World Cup squad? Gautam Gambhir has his say

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to suspend Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul from the Australia ODIs and New Zealand tour in the wake of their controversial comments on popular talk show Koffee with Karan. Some of the statements made by the duo, especially Pandya were widely considered misogynist and disgraceful, and a bad example for all cricketers.

The issue has come to a point where some people opine Hardik should not be included in the World Cup squad and also in the IPL. And former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is of a similar view. According to the former batsman, the unavailability of one person in the squad will not make much of a difference to the team. CoA is yet to take a call on the quantum of further punishment but is likely to announce it soon.

“One person does not change anything. The core still remains the same. KL Rahul wasn’t even there in the playing XI because we had Rayudu who did fabulously well against West Indies, so he deserved a chance before Rahul in the one-day format,” Gambhir said at an event program in Bengaluru.

Ravindra Jadeja for Hardik Pandya

He further added that we have Ravindra Jadeja as a good replacement for Hardik in the squad and that Kohli should not experiment too much with the squad any more.

“Yes Hardik Pandya [might have made a difference], but you’ve replaced him with Ravindra Jadeja, who again is an allrounder. We only have, what, ten ODIs left before the World Cup? So we should maintain consistency and give people who are going to play the first game of the World Cup these ten games and see how they deliver,” he added.

While Gambhir is entitled to his opinion, many others would like to think that Pandya would be suited to the English pitches in England where the World Cup will be played. But the decision rests in the hands of the Indian cricket board now.

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