'If you're bowling just...': Ravi Shastri shares take on injury-prone Hardik Pandya's ODI future

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri opened up on Hardik Pandya's injury concerns. Hardik served as India's white-ball vice-captain since early 2023. Post Rohit Sharma's T20I retirement, after India's 2024 T20 World Cup win, it was expected that he would take over as T20I skipper. Nonetheless, new head coach Gautam Gambhir -- who took over from Rahul Dravid -- and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar named Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain. Moreover, Hardik isn't part of India's three ODIs versus hosts Sri Lanka and will leave the tour midway, after the ongoing three-match T20I series in the Island nation (citing personal reasons). Shastri, thus, opined on Hardik's ODI future, saying that he will have to prove his fitness by bowling more overs consistently else it will be tough for him to retain his place.

Talking to host Sanjana Ganesan in a recent show, Shastri said, "I think (it's) very important that he continues to play. I believe match fitness is very important. So whatever T20I cricket there is, he should play as much as he can. And if he feels strong and fit, then obviously he comes into the side for the one-day game as well."

He further opined, "But then again, the bowling becomes important. If you have someone coming and bowling just three overs in where you have to bowl 10 in a one-day game, then the balance of the side takes a hit. If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Shastri added, "So I think it's up to him really, more than anything else. He understands his body better than anyone. And I'm sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going. He shouldn't need any motivation to get his fitness right at the top there."

Hardik was last seen in action in ODIs during the home World Cup, last year. He got injured during India's fourth encounter, versus Bangladesh in Pune. Before his injury, the all-rounder was bowling regularly, up to 7-8 overs, if not his full quota. Given that there is so much said and written about his fitness at present, the 30-year-old will be desperate to play both the white-ball formats and silence his critics by bowling maximum overs (especially in ODIs).

Currently, Hardik is involved in the three T20Is between India and Sri Lanka in Pallekele, with Surya-led Men in Blue having an unassailable 2-0 lead after a seven-wicket win in the second encounter on Sunday (July 28).