BCCI unhappy with Hardik: Answer can be sought from team management and selection committee, can be dropped from Team India

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Questions are being raised on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after India’s poor performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. BCCI is in action after Team India’s exit from the group stage itself. New Zealand is coming to India this month and the team can be announced on Tuesday. During this, both the teams will play a series of three T20s and two Test matches. All-rounder Hardik Pandya can be dropped from the team for the T20 series.

BCCI may seek answers from selection committee

According to media reports, BCCI is unhappy with Hardik’s performance. The BCCI has raised questions on his selection in the crucial matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. Along with this, an answer has also been sought from the selection committee and team management. The board believes that when Hardik was injured, how was he included in the squad. Also why he was included in the playing-11 in the match.

The board can seek a report from the selection committee and team management on the matter. It is also being said that BCCI may ask him that when Hardik’s injury was detected during IPL 2021 itself, why was he not sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) instead of being included in the squad? Inside Sports quoted a top official of the board as saying that the report will definitely be sought from both.

Why is there controversy over Hardik?

• Before the match against Pakistan, both the selection committee and the team management knew that Hardik was not fit. Despite this, he gambled, which did not fit. Team India had to face defeat against Pakistan and New Zealand.
• Due to Hardik’s inability to bowl, Team India missed the sixth bowler against Pakistan and New Zealand. This affected the team balance.
• Now that Team India is out, BCCI is not happy with all these decisions.
• Not only Hardik, mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty was also not fit after IPL and before World Cup. The board can also ask questions regarding them.
• Hardik may be dropped from the team for the New Zealand series. Also, he can be sent to the National Cricket Academy.
• The selection committee has also asked its officials to keep a watch on the domestic tournament Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. Also, he has been asked to prepare Hardik’s backup.

Not only Hardik, the board is also unhappy with Varun’s selection

Not only Hardik, the BCCI can also raise questions on Varun’s selection. It can be asked from the selection committee that when Varun was not fit, why was Yuzvendra Chahal not included in the team? According to media reports, Hardik wanted to stay with Mumbai Indians before IPL. He was also asked to go back to the NCA, but he refused. The board is unhappy with this. Now after the T20 World Cup, he will be sent for a long rest. Now it remains to be seen whether he is included in the squad for the South African tour to be held in December-January.

Venkatesh Iyer may get a chance

Kolkata Knight Riders star Venkatesh Iyer was seen as Hardik’s replacement after the IPL was over. Venkatesh’s performance in the Syed Mushtaq tournament has also been asked to be looked into. He can be included in the squad for the New Zealand series. According to media reports, the selection committee is concerned that they do not have a replacement for Hardik. Therefore, it has been asked to keep an eye on a fast bowling all-rounder in the domestic tournament.

This could be the team for the T20 series against New Zealand.

Rohit Sharma (capt), Rituraj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Mohammad Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakaria, Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Chahar, T Natarajan, Mayank Agarwal