Rohit Sharma, the India captain, made a fashionably late entrance, arriving nearly 45 minutes after the scheduled time for a press conference where the selection committee chairman, Ajit Agarkar, had arrived almost 45 minutes early. Seated comfortably in a plush leather chair, Rohit appeared disinterested as questions about India’s team for the upcoming T20 World Cup began. Despite his apparent reluctance, he maintained his trademark wry smile throughout the proceedings.
“It’s part of life, not everything will go your way,” he stated, trying to sound philosophical. “Before in my life, I have not been captain, so it’s nothing new to me. Whatever is there, is there and you go by it, do what is required from you. I have only tried to do that in the last month or so.”
Although no names were explicitly mentioned, it was evident who the discussion revolved around. In a season marked by intense scrutiny, there were no surprises when the first question directed at India captain Rohit Sharma pertained to Hardik Pandya, one of the most talked-about and scrutinized players.
As Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar deliberated over India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to commence on June 2, the conversation frequently circled back to the enigmatic figure of Hardik Pandya.
First, it was the elephant in the room: the issue of captaincy. “Generally, as selectors, you want a leader,” Agarkar stated. “Rohit has been a terrific leader – six months between the 50- over World Cup and this one. We had to make some decisions. I know Hardik led (in) a few series before that. But Rohit’s form during the World Cup… Rohit is a great player. It’s not like it’s forced upon us.”
As the press conference unfolded, questions regarding Hardik Pandya’s prolonged absence from the team and concerns over his fitness issues, compounded by his questionable current form, dominated the discussion. Rohit Sharma, alongside selector Ajit Agarkar, found themselves elaborating at length on Pandya’s inclusion in the squad, grappling not only with justifying his place but also defending the decision to appoint him as vice-captain.
“He has come after a longish layoff,” Agarkar stated. “He has got through all the games for Mumbai Indians. We have got another month and a little bit till we play our first game. Hope he builds on that form.”
Until five months prior, such questions surrounding Hardik Pandya would have appeared inconsequential. Pandya had been a pivotal figure in India’s ODI World Cup squad until an ankle injury sustained during a match against Bangladesh forced him out. Following India’s loss in the final to Australia, Pandya assumed the captaincy for the Mumbai Indians, a transition perceived as a symbolic passing of the baton within the national team context as well. He was anticipated to lead the influx of young talent as India shifted focus from the ODI format to preparation for the T20 World Cup.
India, after briefly considering a shift towards a new generation of players, have reverted to their proven and familiar combination, maintaining a core group largely unchanged since 2021. Rohit Sharma downplayed the notion of a generational transition, attributing previous personnel changes to the necessity of providing players with adequate rest. Consequently, Hardik Pandya finds himself once more under the captaincy of others, despite previously enjoying support from the team management.
Ajit Agarkar vocally supported Pandya, emphasizing that there is no substitute for his unique skill set. Rohit hinted at Pandya’s potential to alleviate the need for an extra spinner if he successfully completes his allotted overs, particularly in conditions conducive to spin bowling, such as the early morning starts anticipated in the West Indies.
“I wanted four spinners and three seamers and with Hardik being there, you get the balance. With two spinners (Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel) being all-rounders, two attacking spinners (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) give you balance in the spin department as well. Based on opposition composition, we can decide what to play with,” Rohit stated.
The team management ‘discussed a lot’ the possibility of adding an off-spinner to the mix to get some variety to a similar-looking spin attack.
“(But) unfortunately, Washy (Washington Sundar) hasn’t been getting an opportunity. It was then between Ash (Ravichandran Ashwin) and Axar. We thought of having two left-arm spinners who are actually playing and doing well, and Ashwin hasn’t played as well for a long time. Axar has been in good form. He has been bowling well… and gives us that left-handed option if we want to send someone in the middle if we want to do something different.”
Agarkar joked that ‘hopefully the captain can roll his arm’ if India needed an offie. But the captain was clear in what he expected from Pandya and the other pace-bowling all-rounder, Shivam Dube. “Expect them to do what they are doing in the IPL. I will be expecting that if we need Shivam to bowl a few overs, he will. Same with Hardik. All-rounders ka jo bhi role hai, they must do that.”
Agarkar attached: “There’s no replacement for what he brings to the team, especially with the ball. His fitness is critical and so far he has gone well in the IPL.”
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