The fitness concerns surrounding Hardik Pandya, a vital player for the Indian cricket team, have caught the attention of former India captain Kapil Dev as the ICC World Cup 2023 draws near. Dev emphasized the significance of having all key players in optimal physical condition for the prestigious tournament.
With the ICC recently unveiling the schedule for the forthcoming ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October to November, the excitement is building. India’s opening match against Australia on October 8, followed by the highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan at the magnificent Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad a week later, has fans eagerly awaiting thrilling encounters.
India’s previous ODI World Cup victory came under the captaincy of the revered MS Dhoni in 2011, co-hosted by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, this time around, India faces challenges, having suffered a defeat in the final of the World Test Championship against Australia and grappling with injury concerns ahead of the marquee event.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Kamran Akmal Slams PCB for ICC World Cup 2023 Venue Excuses
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearhead fast bowler, has been sidelined for over nine months, while key middle-order batsmen Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are also on the road to recovery. Furthermore, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will miss the tournament due to his ongoing recuperation from a severe road accident in December of the previous year.
Amidst these injury woes, Kapil Dev shed light on another potential hurdle for the team, focusing on Hardik Pandya. Although Pandya made a remarkable comeback from a back injury during last year’s Indian Premier League and solidified his position in India’s white-ball squads, concerns have arisen due to his reluctance to bowl at full capacity, even in T20Is, let alone the fifty-over format.
Notably, Hardik Pandya has been entrusted with the role of vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies in the Caribbean. He previously led India in an ODI against Australia earlier this year in the absence of Rohit Sharma, when he was attending to family commitments.