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Hardik Pandya (Source: Twitter)
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is training hard at the gym to regain his fitness ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL). Pandya has been out of action since midway through the 2023 ODI World Cup after suffering an ankle injury. The 30-year-old is expected to return to competitive cricket in the upcoming IPL season as the captain of the blockbuster franchise Mumbai Indians.
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Pandya was not included in the recently concluded tour of South Africa and was missing from the 16-member squad announced on Sunday for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan. He was expected to lead the team against the Asian rival, but injury prompted the management to recall Rohit Sharma to continue in the role.
With the 2024 T20 World Cup around the corner, both Rohit and Virat Kohli expressed interest in playing the format. Both the veterans last played in the shortest format against England in the 2022 World Cup semi-final. With Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav ruled out, it gave the batting stalwarts a point to consider in the three-match home series.
As the 2024 IPL is crucial for players to cement their place in the upcoming World Cup squad, it is also important for Pandya to earn the trust of the Indian Cricket Board in terms of fitness and captaincy. Meanwhile, the fast bowling all-rounder posted a video on his Instagram account where he can be seen sweating it out at the gym.
Watch the video here:
Pandya has a huge task ahead of him in IPL 2024
Hardik Pandya has been in the headlines ever since Gujarat Titans (GT) traded their title-winning skipper to Mumbai Indians for an all-cash deal ahead of the IPL 2024 mini-auction. Pandya led the Ahmedabad-based franchise to glory in their inaugural edition (2022) and the final last season.
His shock move to the former franchise meant that Rohit Sharma was removed from MI's captaincy role. It will be a challenge for him to continue the franchise's legacy that Rohit has achieved in his 10-year captaincy.
"It is part of legacy building and staying true to the MI philosophy of being future-ready. Mumbai Indians have always been blessed with exceptional leadership right from Sachin to Harbhajan and Ricky to Rohit, who while contributing to the immediate success have always had an eye on strengthening the team for the future. It is in keeping with this philosophy that Hardik Pandya will assume captaincy of Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2024 season," the franchise's global head of performance Mahela Jayawardene said.