T20 WC winner questions Hardik Pandya's importance for India

Former seamer Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns about Hardik Pandya‘s performance as an all-rounder at the international level. Pathan, who himself had a successful career as an all-rounder, believes that Pandya has not made a significant impact in ICC tournaments.

Pandya, who plays for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, has been struggling with poor form this season. This has led to doubts about his selection in India’s T20 World Cup squad, which is expected to be announced soon.

“They should not give him that much priority…” 

Irfan Pathan said, “What I feel about Hardik Pandya is that Indian cricket needs to make it clear that they should not give him that much priority as they have given him so far, because we still haven’t won the World Cup.” 

“If you think you are a primary all-rounder, you need to make that kind of an impact at the international level. As far as the all-rounder is concerned he hasn’t made that impact at the international level, we are only thinking about the potential.”

“Indian cricket needs to stop doing that. Stop giving preferences to individuals…”- Irfan Pathan

According to Pathan, there is a significant difference between performing well in the IPL and delivering at the international level. He emphasized the need for Pandya to play consistently throughout the year rather than selectively choosing tournaments.

“We are getting confused between the IPL performances and the international performances. That’s a big difference. First of all, he needs to play throughout the year. He cannot pick and choose.

“Indian cricket needs to stop doing that. Stop giving preferences to individuals, if you do that, you will not be winning major tournaments.

“What Australia has been doing for many years is that they are actually preferring the team game. Making everyone a superstar. Not one superstar, everybody is a superstar in the squad. If you don’t do that, you will not win big tournaments.” Pathan also opined some problems that are related to finishers and the team’s pace bowling unit.

“This is what I’m really scared about when it comes to the World Cup. Look, my worry is with the T20 World Cup, we are pretty much sorted as far as the top-order batting is concerned. We are pretty much sorted in the middle-overs as well.

“If we’re thinking Ravindra Jadeja is a number seven batter, you need a good finisher. His numbers are not that great as far as the strike rate is concerned at the international level. So, there is a worry for me there and the fast bowling.

“Apart from Bumrah, if I look at the guys playing in IPL, played before the IPL in the South Africa series, their numbers are not that great — be that it’s Arshdeep, be that it’s Mohammed Siraj, you know, the guys who played last.

“So these two departments, it really makes me worry. These are the departments that are going to be very, very crucial,” Pathan said.

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Pathan’s remarks highlight the growing debate surrounding Pandya’s role in the Indian team and raise questions about his future in international cricket.