It continues to amuse me: Former Baroda coach criticises Hardik Pandya for his absence from domestic cricket | Cricket News

Former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore has slammed Hardik Pandya for his prolonged absence from domestic cricket and expressed surprise that the Team India star is being called ‘an all-rounder from Baroda’.

Former Baroda coach criticised Hardik Pandya for ignoring domestic cricket. (Photo: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has had a lot to deal with in the past few weeks, both on and off the field. Despite winning the 2024 T20 World Cup with India, where he was one of the most important players in the team, Hardik has not had the best of days post-tournament. He recently announced his separation from wife Natasa Stankovic and was also beaten out by Suryakumar Yadav for the T20I captaincy.

Hardik was the favourite to take over as India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma pulled out of the shortest format. However, the selectors and team management preferred Suryakumar over the star all-rounder due to his poor injury and fitness record. While explaining the decision not to captain him, chief selector Ajit Agarkar also raised concerns over Hardik’s fitness.

Recent reports also claimed that Hardik may have to play for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove his bowling fitness after he pulled out of the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. With India not playing any more ODIs for the rest of 2024, Hardik’s selection for the 2025 Champions Trophy could depend on his bowling fitness.

In between the messages, former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore criticised Hardik for his prolonged absence from domestic cricket. Hardik, who represents Baroda in the domestic circuit, last played for the team in 2018. Whatmore criticised him and said that he sometimes gets amused when Hardik is described as an ‘all-rounder from Baroda’.

“There are still people who don’t play white-ball cricket. For example, in my last few years in Baroda, Hardik Pandya would never play white-ball cricket. It always amuses me that he is called the all-rounder of Baroda, but he hasn’t played for Baroda in years! So yes, there are people who don’t,” Whatmore said on Pak Passion’s YouTube channel.

“But recently I have seen that the BCCI is keen on players to participate in the Ranji Trophy and two other formats to ensure that they take up cricket as a sport. Efforts are being made to ensure that four-day cricket is not neglected,” he added.

Hardik has previously been criticized by many for ignoring domestic cricket and prioritizing the IPL. The all-rounder, who suffered an injury during last year’s 2023 ODI World Cup, made his comeback for Mumbai Indians in the 2024 IPL and then went on to play for India in the 2024 T20 World Cup without playing a single domestic match for Baroda.

Pressure mounts on Hardik ahead of Sri Lanka series

Hardik will be under immense pressure to perform for India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, where he will play under the captaincy of his Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar. India will play three T20Is against the hosts, followed by three ODIs. The T20I series is scheduled to begin on July 27.

Many expected Hardik to be the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team after he was dropped as captain. However, the all-rounder will feature as a player, with Shubman Gill being preferred as India’s vice-captain in both ODIs and T20Is.