As far as Indian cricket is concerned, the T20 World Cup 2024 vice-captain, Hardik Pandya, was not sure he would be included in the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be played in Pakistan. The multi-dimensional player will have to pass the test in both fitness and results at the domestic level, particularly in a situation where he has to bowl a quota of ten overs.
Another report published in the Indian Express was about the extent to which Pandya has yet to guarantee his place in the ODI side for the Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian cricket management had to ensure that Pandya proved his fitness to bowl his full quota of ten overs in domestic cricket. This condition emerges as the team management considers possible strategies for the sub-continental conditions obtained in Pakistan during the event.
Potential Replacements and New Faces
Realizing the lack of talent in this area, the management is still considering the options for building an all-rounder type of player. Washington Sundar has been rated as the first choice of all-rounders for the Champions Trophy 2025, although the Indian cricket team still needs another all-rounder, and Axar Patel will be the candidate for that position. It could be said that both players have performed exceptionally well on subcontinental soil and are useful with the bat and the ball.
Besides, the management is keen on signing 21-year-old pace bowling all-rounder Nitish Reddy. The ability that Reddy has to be an all-rounder may be an advantage to the team because it complements batting strength with bowling strength.
According to the latest update, Hardik Pandya will not be in the playing XI in the upcoming series of ODIs scheduled to be played on August 2 against Sri Lanka. But he will be a part of the T20I team, where Suryakumar Yadav will be heading the Indian side. Well, in this case, Pandya has been left out of the team, and Shubman Gill will be his deputy for the T20I series.
Pandya’s Leadership Dynamics and New Appointments
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The Sri Lanka series will turn out to be the initial assignment for the head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir. This ODI team will be led by Rohit Sharma, who is coming back to the team after his absence.
Shivam Dube has been selected for the ODI team as a replacement for Hardik Pandya. These all-around skills prove to be an asset to the side, especially in consolidating the middle order, as they do for Shivam Dube. Also, New Zealand player leg break googly bowler Ish Sodhi has returned to the T20I squad after being out of the team, while there will be ODI fixed opener Shreyas Iyer in the ODI squad, who lost his central contract after the ODI World Cup.
The selection of such regular-playing eleven players as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shows India’s plan to have a powerful squad for a one-day international series against Sri Lanka. This series will be significant for India to know where they stand tactfully, but at the same time, it will be equally important to assess the fitness and form of the players before a few mega-events come to the fore.
Hardik Pandya’s situation underscores the importance of domestic performance in securing international opportunities. As he works towards proving his consistency and fitness, the emergence of players like Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Nitish Reddy provides the Indian team with a range of options to consider.
Also Read: Mohammed Shami’s Unbreakable And Obvious Friendship with Kohli and Sharma
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