If Hardik Pandya Was Carrying That Injury Then Why Was He Selected For T20 World Cup: Saba Karim

Former Indian player Saba Karim questioned on Hardik Pandya‘s selection after it was learned that the all-rounder is suffering from a niggle.

Pandya has missed both the matches for Mumbai Indians since the IPL 2021 resumed and according to Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, the player endured a little bit of niggle and mentioned they were giving some time to rest.

“Hardik was training, had a little niggle, so again precaution, we thought, let’s just give him extra days to see how things are, but nothing serious,” the Mumbai Indians head coach said during a virtual press conference.

Was Hardik Pandya fully fit or not when he was selected for the Indian team? Saba Karim

Hardik Pandya is part of India’s 15-member preliminary squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 that will start next month. Saba Karim said that if Hardik Pandya was injured before the resumption of IPL 2021 then he should have got the fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to play for the mega event.

“He (Hardik) is a big player. But the question now is when he was selected for the Indian team, was he fully fit or not? If he was fit then it is justified. But if not, then when did this niggle happen? If he was carrying that injury then why was he selected? The general rule is – you have to prove your fitness and go to NCA and come back. This rule applies to everyone. So, the question is right but we don’t know what has exactly happened with Pandya,” Saba Karim told YouTube channel Khelneeti. 

Don’t think the Indian selectors made a mistake my selecting Ishan Kishan: Saba Karim

Mumbai Indians duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan were also selected for India in the T20 World Cup but both the players haven’t performed up to their potential in the last two matches for Mumbai Indians.

Saba Karim said that in T20 cricket it is a challenging task to remain consistent and fans shouldn’t be judgemental on Ishan and Suryakumar with two bad games.

“I don’t think the Indian selectors made a mistake my selecting Ishan Kishan. When he was scoring runs against England, we were saying his selection is right. So such a phase comes. We react too early and become judgemental. It is a huge challenge to be consistent in T20s. As cricket fans we need to stay patient with players like Ishan and Suryakumar,” Saba Karim concluded.

Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur are the reserved players in the T20 World Cup squad for India.

Also Read: IPL 2021: We Are Balancing The Needs Of Team India As Well – Shane Bond Explains Hardik Pandya’s Absence In The Team