Former national selector Sarandeep Singh criticized the selection committee and the Indian team management for backing Hardik Pandya during their T20 World Cup campaign. Baroda’s all-rounder has been making the headline in recent tomes late due to his inability to bowl in the showpiece event. After not having bowled a single ball across the last two IPL editions, Hardik did not bowl in India’s warm-up games and the first Super 12 clash with Pakistan.
Moreover, Hardik Pandya went for some precautionary scans after being suffering a shoulder injury while batting in Dubai. Keeping all the developments in mind, Sarandeep Singh has lashed out at the selectors and the team management for keeping his fitness update in the dark and selecting him over several other players.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli Gives Fitness Update On Hardik Pandya Ahed Of NZ Game
During a recent interview with Sportskeeda, Sarandeep Singh said, “Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues are being talked about for a while now, but why don’t you ask the selection committee about this? We used to answer all questions during our tenure – if someone was unfit or anything – everything used to be open. But why isn’t it the same anymore? Chetan Sharma addressed the media just once, and he spoke something strange and walked away.”
Former selector further elaborated, “When the chairman of the selection committee said he’s fully fit and he will bowl in the World Cup, so the chairman needs to be questioned now where is the fitness . He needs to say something – he is injured, he is not able to bowl, something. It’s unfair on Hardik as well, a quality player is stuck in controversy for no fault of his. If injury is there, it’s okay, can’t do much about it.”
Sarandeep Singh, who played 3 Tests and 5 ODIs, then added that Pandya doesn’t train at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and that is why his fitness status remains unknown.
ALSO READ: Tabraiz Shamsi Makes The Record Of Taking Most T20 Wicket In A Calendar Year
Former selector explained, “Hardik definitely wants to bowl, but since he isn’t means his injury is a big one. He doesn’t go to the NCA, he treats himself to the Mumbai Indians staff. So nobody really knows and nobody is saying anything. The reason why Rohit Sharma is not able to say anything in press conferences is because even Rohit doesn’t really know.”
