T20 World Cup: Hardik Pandya picked under 'pressure', Agarkar, Rohit opposed inclusion in squad, say reports

T20 squad raises Pandya concerns

Following the announcement of India's T20 World Cup squad, concerns arose regarding the inclusion of Hardik Pandya and his appointment as vice-captain.

Recent reports indicate that BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and India's skipper Rohit Sharma were purportedly hesitant about having the star all-rounder in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for June 1st in the West Indies and the USA.

Despite uncertainties surrounding Pandya's selection due to his irregular bowling performances in the ongoing IPL 2024, the Mumbai Indians skipper found a place in the 15-member squad announced by BCCI for the prestigious event.

Pandya's selection raised eyebrows as his performance in IPL 2024 has been inconsistent, with only 200 runs and 11 wickets from 12 matches. Moreover, a series of injuries has raised doubts about his fitness for international play.

Pandya Selected Under Pressure

Reports suggest that Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma were opposed to Pandya's inclusion, but he was ultimately selected under 'pressure', although the nature of this pressure remains unspecified. Additionally, speculation emerged that BCCI sees Pandya as a potential T20I captain, especially considering Rohit Sharma's anticipated retirement from the format following the T20 World Cup.

Reports also claim that Rohit Sharma may retire from T20Is after the T20 World Cup, marking potentially his final appearances in the format. Reports link this decision directly to Hardik Pandya's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad. It asserts that Pandya's selection is not based on performance but rather on the BCCI's view of him as India's future T20I captain. Consequently, Pandya was not only picked for the squad but also named vice-captain.

All Not Well In MI

Rifts between Rohit and Hardik at Mumbai Indians escalate with Hardik's surprise captaincy announcement in December, abruptly ending Rohit's ten-year tenure. Hardik's return to MI last October, following leadership at Gujarat Titans, was a high-stakes all-cash deal. The decision poses significant risks for the team, as tensions between the two players add complexity to their dynamic within the franchise.

There's a sentiment that both fans and players aren't fully supportive of Hardik's leadership. Overseas players seem fine with it, but domestic talents still prefer Rohit as their role model.