Hardik Pandya casts long shadow as Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar defend T20 World Cup squad

Rohit smiled his typical wry smile.

“It’s part of life, not everything will go your way,” he said, 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.”

No names were taken. But there were no prizes for guessing who was being referred to. In a season where he has been one of the most talked-about – rather, scrutinised – players, it was hardly surprising that the first question was about Hardik Pandya.

As Rohit and Agarkar sat there analysing India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 2, the topic of Pandya came up time and again.

First, it was the elephant in the room: the issue of captaincy. “Generally, as selectors, you want a leader,” Agarkar said. “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.”

Leap of faith

Then came a question about his long absence and fitness issues, given Pandya last played for India in October 2023. And then, his questionable current form. The captain and selector spent a considerable time justifying Pandya’s place in the squad, let alone the decision to appoint him vice-captain.

“He has come after a longish layoff,” Agarkar said. “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 ago, these questions might have seemed frivolous.

Pandya had been one of the key members of India’s ODI World Cup squad until he injured his ankle against Bangladesh. Weeks after India lost the final to Australia, he replaced Rohit as Mumbai Indians captain, a move that was also seen as a passing-of-the-baton moment as far as the national team was concerned. He was then expected to lead the next generation of players who flooded the squad as India moved from the ODI cycle and began preparation for the T20 World Cup.

Pandya had been one of the key members of India’s ODI World Cup squad until he injured his ankle against Bangladesh. (PTI)

After initially flirting with that idea, India have gone back to the tried and tested combination, sticking to the core that’s largely remained unchanged since 2021. And Rohit played down the idea of a generational shift, saying the personnel changes back then were merely a case of giving players enough rest.

And so, Pandya must again get used to being captained even though he once had the backing of the team management. Agarkar threw his weight behind Pandya, saying there was ‘no replacement’ for him. Rohit implied the all-rounder, if he can get through his quota of overs, could give the liberty to play an extra spinner in conditions he hinted might assist tweakers given the early morning starts in the West Indies.

Cards on the table

“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 said.

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.

India’s Axar Patel celebrates with captain Rohit Sharma the wicket of Afghanistan’s batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz during the first T20I cricket match between India and Afghanistan, in Mohali, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (PTI Photo)

“(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 added: “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.”